Source : the age
The first suspected case of the devastating H5N1 strain of bird flu has been detected in a migratory bird in south-west Western Australia.
While various strains of bird flu have infected wild and domestic birds in Australia, the continent is the last in the world that was free of H5N1.
The deadly strain has killed millions of birds around the world in recent years.
The virus has not yet spread to Australia.
It has spread to every other continent, killing millions of wild birds, including even Antarctica, where it has killed thousands of Adelie penguins and skuas.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced on Friday afternoon the bird has died and the initial test was positive for H5N1. Further tests will be performed for confirmation.
Experts warn an H5N1 outbreak would probably take a catastrophic toll on native birds because Australian species had not been exposed to the virus before.
more to come
Mike Foley is the climate and energy correspondent for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via email.
