Victoria currently is experiencing an outbreak of Avian Influenza or ‘Bird Flu’. This disease, which is distantly related to the influenza viruses that infect people, can be deadly to birds. In order to stop it from spreading, all poultry on an infected farm will be culled. So far, hundreds of thousands of chickens have been killed. There are obvious animal welfare concerns as well serious economic and psychological impacts on the farmers.

Unfortunately, there may be worse to come. Having lived through a pandemic, we now have to prepare for a ‘panzootoic’ (a pandemic in wild animals).

The virus currently spreading in Victoria is classified as being “H7N3” (the numbers refer to the configuration of two proteins on the virus’ surface). H7 viruses are naturally found in Australian ducks and other waterbirds, rarely causing them severe illness. By comparison, domestic chickens and other domestic poultry are very susceptible.

However, another strain of Avian Influenza is spreading globally – H5N1. No species has immunity to this strain, which has spread across every continent except Oceania. Its impacts have been catastrophic: 36% of one South American pelican species disappeared in a few months.

In the UK, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds reports “Gannet populations are down by 25%, Roseate Terns by 21%, Sandwich Terns by 35% and Common Terns by 42% and the UK population of Great Skuas has declined from 9,088 to 2,160.”

The situation is even more alarming in the US, where the disease has caused mass mortality in wild bird species, the death of over 96 million chickens, and has gone on to infect dairy cattle, mice, cats and people. H5N1 even has been detected in Antarctica.

Most experts believe it is a question of when not if H5N1 will arrive in Australia and New Zealand. Both countries have vulnerable, already critically endangered native bird species that are susceptible, for example, our Orange-bellied Parrot and their Kakapo. Here in Western Port, we are worried about the migratory shorebirds as well as the number of people who keep backyard chooks.

What can be done? The simple answer is little can be done to stop H5N1’s arrival, but we can be prepared. Chickens may have to be kept inside, people will need to be prepared to keep their dogs on leash, at all times, least they pick up a bird carcass (this is how foxes and cats become infected).

Community actions will be required. Commercial poultry farms will need to consider the impact on their business and, potentially, how to dispose of thousands of carcasses.

– Adapted from an article by Stephen Brend – Scientific Officer, Western Port Biosphere Foundation. More information from here.