In Port Macdonnell, located in the southeastern region of South Australia, residents have noticed a bird exhibiting strange and unsettling behavior.
Warning: This article contains visuals that some readers might find upsetting.
The bird is seen flapping its wings, spinning in circles, and performing somersaults while on the ground.
Although confirmation of H5N1 avian influenza requires laboratory testing, a veterinarian who reviewed footage of the bird indicated that its neurological symptoms align with those typically associated with the virus.
“The neurological signs are quite pronounced, including stargazing (opisthotonus), lack of coordination, and unusual posture. While there are no evident signs of seizures or paralysis, those symptoms could manifest later,” explained Wayne Boardman, a wildlife veterinarian and associate professor at the University of Adelaide.
Birds infected with the virus ultimately succumb to the illness.
Maureen Christie, secretary of Friends of Shorebirds SE in South Australia, has dedicated years to bird conservation and tagging for research purposes. Currently, she is focused on documenting the effects of the virus in her local area of Carpenter Rocks.
“It’s overwhelming, and I feel like I might start crying at any moment,” Ms. Christie shared. “Walking along the beach, I encounter a dead bird, then another just a few steps away, and if I turn back, I find yet another one.”
She noted that the sick crested terns she has observed tend to isolate themselves, appearing lethargic and hunched over, while she also witnessed two sick silver gulls exhibiting unusual behavior, including one that was struggling to remain upright.
“It’s heartbreaking because there’s nothing we can do to help them. Once these birds contract the disease, recovery is not an option,” she lamented.
A federal government report labeled as “a list of doom” has indicated that nearly 400 native bird and mammal species face high to extreme risk from bird flu, including species such as penguins, sea lions, seals, and the Tasmanian Devil.
In response to this crisis, the federal government has allocated $2 million for the vaccination of vulnerable birds in captivity, including over 5,000 penguins located on Victoria’s Phillip Island and in St Kilda.
“We are deeply concerned about the unique wildlife present in Australia,” stated Agriculture Minister Julie Collins. “Out of the $113 million allocated, over $47 million has been directed towards enhancing resilience and improving habitats for those threatened native species.”
Virologist Kirsty Short from the University of Queensland expressed her worries regarding the virus’s effects on native bird populations, citing research that indicates black swans’ heightened vulnerability to the virus compared to white swans.
“We posited that Australia’s geographic isolation might lead some species to have a limited immune response due to a lack of selective pressures, making them more susceptible to H5N1 than species in the Northern Hemisphere,” Professor Short stated. “Australia has a troubling history with extinction, and I fear this could be the critical factor that leads to the extinction of certain species.”
It has been nearly two months since the presence of bird flu was first identified in Australia, and the virus has now spread across all six states, with Tasmania reporting its first suspected case on Thursday.
Professor Short noted that Australia and New Zealand represent the “last stronghold,” as H5N1 has impacted over 80 countries worldwide, leading to the death or culling of hundreds of millions of poultry.
“H5N1, commonly known as bird flu, initially emerged in Southern China in 1996 and has since spread globally while continuing to evolve,” she explained.
While the virus has been detected in wild and native birds across Australia, it has not yet appeared in poultry, and the risk to human health remains low.
Professor Short remarked on the severe effects of the virus on poultry, stating, “Chickens can experience significant swelling and hemorrhaging, often leading to death within a day.”
Farmers, such as Victorian egg producer Brian Ahmed, are bracing for the worst. “Currently, we are enforcing strict access to our property. We have a secured area where all our sheds are located, and entry is limited,” Mr. Ahmed explained.
As a supplier of caged eggs, he believes his farm faces less risk compared to free-range producers.
Inghams has implemented a nationwide lockdown for its poultry operations, mandating that any farm with over 50 birds in Victoria’s coastal or southern regions must keep them indoors. The presence of one sick chicken could necessitate a culling.
“It’s a drastic measure that comes with significant emotional and financial burdens for farmers,” Mr. Ahmed shared. “This is our livelihood, supporting our families and providing food for other Australian families.”
Poultry enthusiasts, such as Anne Beaty, are experiencing heightened anxiety. With over 100 birds of her own, she views them as family. Ms. Beaty, who serves as secretary of the Victorian Poultry Fanciers Association, is also an experienced judge and exhibitor of birds.
Last weekend, she helped organize a bird show in Geelong while ensuring heightened biosecurity measures were in place. This may be the last event of its kind for some time.
Upcoming poultry exhibitions at both the Royal Adelaide Show and the Melbourne Show have been canceled. Ms. Beaty expressed concern over the potential loss of rare breeds, stating, “Some of these birds are not widely bred, and if they disappear, it could mean their extinction.”
