Our Tern: Bird flu arrives on the Northern Beaches

A Greater Crested Tern found dead in Warriewood has tested positive for Bird Flu. The bird was confirmed to have contracted H5 bird flu via laboratory testing undertaken on 28 August, according to data from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. It is the first known case of the fast-spreading virus on the Northern Beaches. There are currently 468 confirmed events in Australia. Globally, the spread of H5 avian influenza has caused mass mortality in hundreds of millions of wild birds and poultry and has expanded into over 100 mammal species. It mainly affects birds but can also infect other animals. Overseas, the H5 strain has caused severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and some mammals. Cats and dogs can sometimes get sick if they eat or interact with infected animals.