This is paraphrasing and may need fact checking. However from what I’ve seen of the situation in America this can have a greater than 50% mortality rate, affects humans cats and other animals, and is spreading through cows. It seems to be global however Australia seems to be one of the few places still free of it so far.
If we get an outbreak here it’s going to be similar to covid with the masks and disinfection, with the added recommendation of eye protection, and the issue of it affecting the safety of eggs and milk.
It doesn’t seem to pass from human to human yet? But while we seem to be in the clear for now, let’s watch our butts just in case that flip occurs and it gets over here on people or migrating birds.
It could be really sensible to do things like keep chickens and pet birds away from wild birds, wash hands after handling birds, use masks, be careful of having bird feeders, keep cats inside to not hunt birds… you know. Just use caution.
This is the best summary I could come up with:
Back yard chicken owners in Australia have been urged to implement biosecurity measures to prevent contact with wild birds in the wake of a global avian influenza outbreak.
Dr Melinda Cowan, a veterinary specialist in avian medicine, said her Sydney clinic is already making preparations for an outbreak.
Peter Laurence has four pet chooks in his back yard in Tempe, near wetland bird habitats in Sydney’s inner west.
Those wild birds would then need to survive long enough to circumvent biosecurity protections and come into contact with a chicken or turkey in a commercial operation.
A spokesperson for the department of agriculture said Australia’s biosecurity system was one of “the most robust in the world” and the recent surge in cases was being closely monitored.
“Australia has nationally agreed response arrangements in place to respond to emergency animal disease incursions and outbreaks, including for avian influenza.”
The original article contains 751 words, the summary contains 146 words. Saved 81%. I’m a bot and I’m open source!