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[INTERNATIONAL] · Australia, New Zealand · 17 sources

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Part of situation: H5N1 bird flu causes mass wildlife deaths and mammal spread (61 clusters)

Avian flu spreads in Australia and New Zealand, threatening wildlife

H5N1 avian influenza wildlife conservation biosecurity funding mammalian infection bait vaccines

The H5N1 avian influenza virus is spreading across Australia and New Zealand, posing a severe threat to wildlife and the poultry industry. In Australia, over 300 cases have been confirmed in wildlife, including seabirds and mammals. The virus has reached the Illawarra region following a positive test in a greater crested tern in Windang. Experts warn that the virus could push vulnerable species toward extinction and may move in waves similar to COVID-19.

In response, the Australian government has announced a $145 million funding increase, with $125 million dedicated to biosecurity and $20 million for threatened species. However, the Invasive Species Council has criticized this amount as 'deeply unserious,' arguing it is insufficient to manage the potential catastrophe. Researchers are also exploring the use of edible bait vaccines to protect native mammals, such as Tasmanian devils, from infection.

In New Zealand, three cases of H5N1 have been confirmed in the Wellington region. The outbreak presents significant economic risks, particularly for the egg industry, which faces longer recovery times than meat chicken production. New Zealand is adopting a 'One Health' approach to manage the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health risks.

Entities

Australian Government · Dr Vere Nicholson · Invasive Species Council · Jack Gough · New Zealand Government · New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries · University of Tasmania · Vere Nicholson · WIRES

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

Sources

Extinction warning: Bird flu threatens Australia's most vulnerable species [www.begadistrictnews.com.au]
Illawarra owners advised to keep dogs on leash at beaches to slow bird flu spread [www.illawarramercury.com.au]
Novel Vaccine Strategy Could Protect Australian Wildlife from Bird Flu Threat | Enviro Jobs Network / EnviroJobs [environmentaljobs.com.au]
4 Ways to Protect Backyard Chickens from H5N1 Bird Flu [www.somerzby.com.au]
H5N1 avian flu confirmed in the Shoalhaven as warning issued for pet owners [www.southcoastregister.com.au]
H5N1 avian flu confirmed in the Shoalhaven as warning issued for pet owners [www.ulladullatimes.com.au]
Bird flu threat could push Australia's most vulnerable species to extinction [www.areanews.com.au]
Water, shelter, feed: how to protect home chooks from the H5 bird flu threat [www.theland.com.au]
Bird flu could close down some poultry farms for good [www.farmersweekly.co.nz]
Extinction warning: Bird flu threatens Australia's most vulnerable species [www.batemansbaypost.com.au]
Bird flu reaches the Illawarra with dead tern found in lakeside suburb [www.southernhighlandnews.com.au]
Bird flu is here to stay. NZ’s response must keep adapting as the virus takes hold [eveningreport.nz]
WM: Uncovering bird flu superspreaders and vulnerable species [wildlife.org]
‘Deeply unserious’: funding boost for bird flu slammed [theqldr.com.au]
'Deeply unserious': funding boost for bird flu slammed [www.perthnow.com.au]
‘Asleep at the wheel’: Bird flu plan lashed [www.perthnow.com.au]
Could Edible Vaccines Protect Australian Wildlife From Bird Flu? [www.world-today-news.com]