Bird flu threat looms over Australia's free
Australian poultry farmers are expressing concern over the spread of the H5N1 bird flu strain among wild birds. The virus poses a significant threat to free-range domestic flocks, which are particularly vulnerable to contact with infected wildlife.
Why it matters
An outbreak in domestic poultry could devastate the agricultural industry and threaten food security during the peak Christmas season.
Christmas trade accounts for a significant portion of Lucy Dodd's income. ( ABC Landline )
Link copied Share Share article Christmas may still be months away, but near Bordertown in South Australia, the festive season is already in full flight at Lucy Dodd's turkey farm.
It's peak time, with 6,000 free-range birds destined for the dinner table.
"These are all Christmas turkeys," she said.
The reason for her anxiety is H5N1 bird flu.
The highly pathogenic strain is spreading through Australia's wild birds after reaching the mainland in June, carried by migratory seabirds from the sub-Antarctic.
It's also been detected in several mammals, including a long-nosed fur seal, a fox and a dolphin.
Port MacDonnell, a couple of hours' drive south of Ms Dodd's farm, is one of the worst hit areas.
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