Backyards become frontline for nation's bird flu fight
Australian authorities are urging pet and poultry owners to take precautions against a growing H5 bird flu outbreak. With 231 cases confirmed, officials are focusing on preventing domestic animals from acting as a bridge for the virus to spread to humans.
Why it matters
Managing zoonotic diseases in domestic settings is critical to preventing potential human health crises and protecting the agricultural sector.
One state's authorities are promoting measures to help limit the spread of the H5 bird flu strain. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS) Backyards have become Australia’s new frontline against a fast‑moving bird flu outbreak.
Pet and poultry owners have been urged to take precautions to protect their beloved domestic animals as the national tally of confirmed or presumed bird flu cases climbs to 231.
The virus has so far been confined to wild birds but authorities have warned what happens in suburban yards and smallholdings in coming weeks will be critical to keeping the deadly strain at bay.
The majority of the nation's confirmed cases are in South Australia, with the state count rising to 163 following another 11 detections in wild seabirds.
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