Can I get sick from bird flu? What are the symptoms, and are chicken and eggs safe to eat?
The H5N1 bird flu virus has reached Australia, raising concerns about wildlife safety and biosecurity. While the risk to humans remains low, experts emphasize that the virus can rarely spread through close contact with infected animals.
Why it matters
The arrival of a highly pathogenic virus in a previously unaffected continent poses a significant threat to biodiversity and agricultural biosecurity.
Human bird flu infections may occur in people with close contact with sick or dead birds or animals. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images View image in fullscreen Human bird flu infections may occur in people with close contact with sick or dead birds or animals. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images Bird flu Explainer Can I get sick from bird flu? What are the symptoms, and are chicken and eggs safe to eat? As the deadly H5N1 virus makes landfall in Australia, experts hope strong biosecurity will protect poultry and dairy cattle
The article relies on scientific consensus and expert commentary regarding public health risks.
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