Pelican death on Fremantle beach heightens bird flu alert in Australia
TL;DR
A dead pelican found on Bathers Beach in Fremantle has heightened concerns that H5 bird flu has reached Australia, with authorities saying the virus poses a very high risk to pelicans and the bird is being tested after reports to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. While officials monitor the situation, some local deaths could also be due to botulism amid hot weather. Public reports are aiding DPIRD’s response as tests proceed and officials assess the threat.
- Beach discovery takes sinister turn as major catastrophe looms on Australia's doorstep Yahoo News Australia
- Australia warns H5N1 likely to spread after first mass mortality episode Al Jazeera
- Suspected mass bird flu deaths found in second state as Murray Watt warns ‘this is the beginning’ The Guardian
- 'List of doom' outlines birds facing extinction if deadly flu spreads ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- Australia’s little penguin colony could lose up to 40% of population to bird flu The Independent
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