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https://theconversation.com/lethal-bird-flu-could-decimate-oceanias-birds-from-vigilance-to-vaccines-heres-what-were-doing-to-prepare-235016>
"Avian influenza viruses have infected the world’s birds for millennia. We
first became aware of them in the 19th century, when mass deaths of poultry
triggered interest in what was then called “fowl plague”.
But in 2021, something fundamental changed. As the world grappled with COVID
lockdowns and economic chaos, the birds of the world were encountering a new
strain, known formally as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1
2.3.4.4.b. It spread easily and was capable of causing disease and death in a
far wider number of bird species than previously seen before.
So far, it has triggered the culling of half a billion farmed birds and killed
millions of wild birds. (This is a different strain to the HPAI H7 strains
which have infected poultry farms in Australia).
If this new strain gets to Australia, carried on a migratory wild bird, it
could pose similar risks to our unique wildlife. But we haven’t been sitting
still. Australian researchers, governments, veterinarians and wildlife
rehabilitators have been urgently preparing for its arrival."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
