'Sobering but not unexpected' suspected H5 bird flu case explained

Scientists collect organic material during a bird flu outbreak in Brazil. (Reuters: Diego Vara) Link copiedShareShare articleFor years Australia has remained the last continent to avoid the deadly H5 strain of avian influenza. Now a suspected positive case has hit our shores. The suspected bird flu case was located in Western Australia's Cape Le Grand beach on June 14. WA's Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis said the brown skua seabird died while in isolation. "I'm told it is not normal for them to be on the south coast of Western Australia," Ms Jarvis said. "But I am also told it's not uncommon if a bird is sick to actually be sort of blown off course, as it were." The diseased bird was identified as a brown skua seabird. (Getty Images: DeAgostini ) Another bird, a giant petrel, was also being tested. Genomic sequencing will be used to confirm whether or not it is H5N1, and if so where it came from and what mutations it has. Australia had been the last continent free of this deadly strain of bird flu. Though Federal Agricultural Minister Julie Collins said it was expected the strain would eventually hit Australia. "If it is confirmed to be the H5 bird flu this will be sobering but not unexpected, given the spread globally," she said. "I want to reassure the public that we're well placed to respond to and to manage this situation." This includes $113 million towards preparedness measures, the minister said. From here, state and territory leaders will meet to discuss the next steps, including increased surveillance. H5N1 has spread around the world, while Australia had remained free of the deadly strain. (ABC News: Peter Mullins) Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious virus that affects bird species and can spread to other species, including humans. Just like human influenza, there are many types of bird flu and they can all have different effects on wild birds, poultry and other animals. Scientists are racing to get crucial population data on penguins and other seabirds before the deadly H5 strain of bird flu impacts the Australian Antarctic Territory. Avian influenza viruses can be classed as high or low pathogenicity, a reference to their potential to kill chickens, not how infectious they are. The high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 was discovered more than 20 years ago, leading to dozens of outbreaks globally since then. Symptoms in poultry include sudden death, difficulty breathing, swelling and purple discolouration, and a rapid drop in eating or egg production. Infected birds can spread the virus through body fluids, droppings and feathers. It can spread also through contaminated clothing, animals, vehicles and items like egg cartons. While wild birds are the most affected, cases have also been detected in several mammals: Earlier this week new research revealed the strain is believed to have killed more than 13,000 baby seals in the Heard and McDonald islands, off mainland Australia. Drone imagery shows the death of elephant seals was found over the remote islands. (Supplied: Jarrod Hodgson, Australian Antarctic Division) There is also no evidence the current H5 bird flu strain spreads between people. Step inside one of Australia's few biosafety level 4 facilities, where scientists handle highly transmissible and potentially lethal pathogens such as Ebola and Hendra virus. Infection usually happens after close contact with infected poultry — for example, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese – or contaminated environments. Some people in the US have been infected through exposure to cows. Symptoms in humans can include the following: There are no commercially available vaccines against bird flu for humans or other mammals, but there are vaccines being trialled. People can protect themselves with appropriate protective equipment and washing hands frequently. Experts have already raised the alarm as to the impacts on Australia's biodiversity. "Every time the virus has arrived in a new continent it's been catastrophic for wildlife," microbiology and immunology expert Michelle Wille told Afternoon Briefing. "We've seen significant species level decreases," Dr Wille said. There are hundreds of bird species native to Australia that would be at risk of the deadly strain if confirmed. (Supplied: Andrew Silcocks/BirdLife Australia) Invasive Species Council's policy director Carol Booth said the suspected detection was "deeply concerning". "We desperately hope this is not the realisation of our worst dreams," Dr Booth said in a statement. "The recently reported mass deaths of elephant seals on Heard Island were a harbinger of the potential catastrophe for Australian wildlife if the virus has made it to mainland Australia. "If H5N1 is confirmed, the government's own risk assessment predicts potentially catastrophic impacts on native birds, while the virus's increasing ability to infect mammals raises the prospect of severe impacts on marine m

'Sobering but not unexpected' suspected H5 bird flu case explained

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'Sobering but not unexpected' suspected H5 bird flu case explained

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