H5N1 bird flu reaches Australia, its last uninfected continent, and endangered sea lions
A clear account of what can and can't be done once a wildlife disease arrives.
H5N1 avian flu reached Australia in mid-June, likely carried by migratory seabirds from the Antarctic, and has since been involved in about 690 "events" as of October 6, Mongabay reports, including spillover into endangered Australian sea lions. New South Wales began a vaccination trial for vulnerable captive birds in August and started vaccinating wild little penguins on September 18. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, the virus has infected about 613 bird and 112 mammal species worldwide.
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Influenza A virus subtype H5N1
After exploring Invading the globe: Bird flu now threatens Australia and Oceania, for the virus itself, see Influenza A virus subtype H5N1.
H5N1 causes avian influenza and is established in many bird populations worldwide. It can also infect mammals exposed to infected birds, sometimes fatally.
Wikipedia · Swim · 30 min
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Australian sea lion
After exploring Invading the globe: Bird flu now threatens Australia and Oceania, one of the species now at risk is Australian sea lion.
Australia's only endemic pinniped, with an estimated 14,730 animals and endangered status. It is known for unusual breeding cycles of either 5 months or 17–18 months.
Wikipedia · Wade · 5 min
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