Australia on high alert as bird flu spreads to 27 confirmed cases

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins warns Australia has recorded its first signs of local H5 bird flu transmission, with authorities expecting more wildlife infections and detections in the weeks ahead. “This follows 27 confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in Australia to date; there are 10 currently in Western Australia, 14 in South Australia, two in New South Wales and one in Queensland,” Ms Collins said. “We do expect with these local transmissions that there will be further detections in Australian Wildlife. “We have had what is suggestive of local transmission for the first time. Clearly, we will expect to see increased evidence and deaths of wildlife.”