Latest news with #avianinfluenza
ABC News
a day ago
- Health
- ABC News
Avian influenza not the cause of mass bird deaths in Coral Bay, authorities say
Authorities have ruled out avian influenza as the cause of recent mass bird deaths near a West Australian town, but what led to the incident remains a mystery. Residents and visitors have reported seeing scores of crested terns dead on beaches in the Coral Bay during the peak tourism season. Callie Adams was visiting from Perth when she noticed the birds north of the town a little more than a week ago. "As I walked from the main beach in town around to the point I noticed a few dead birds, just here and there," she said. "As I got further around the point there was large quantities of birds that were flying and alive, but then also an awful lot of dead ones. "It was to the point where you literally had to watch where you were stepping to avoid a pile of dead birds. "I started counting in the beginning … I lost count at over 100." The Department of Biodiversity, Conservations and Attractions said mass deaths were not unprecedented but this one was somewhat unusual. "While there have been groups of bird deaths in this area in the past, there appears to be higher numbers recorded than in previous years," a spokesperson said. Testing from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has ruled out reportable diseases, including avian influenza. The disease has devastated bird populations across the world, including in Australia's eastern states. BirdLife Australia avian influenza response coordinator Tanya Loos said she was "cautiously pleased" that H5N1 strain of avian influenza had been ruled out. "[Avian influenza] is predicted to have some of the greatest impact, as we've seen overseas, and we know that species such as terns are particularly susceptible to H5N1," she said. Ms Loos said starvation could be a factor in the deaths and that large number of dead birds in one area was abnormal. "There's a lot of concerning things going on with ocean ecology at the moment, so we are watching events like this with a bit of trepidation," she said. DPIRD urged visitors and residents to report sightings of dead and sick birds. "Sightings of more than five sick or dead wild birds should be reported to DPIRD's Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888," a spokesperson said. "For fewer than five sick or dead wild birds, including any other sick, orphaned or injured wildlife, contact the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055."
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Warning signs placed around Australian shopping centre after mass poisoning incident
New signs have been placed around an Australian shopping centre urging customers not to feed wild birds. They were installed last week, just days after more than 150 corellas and pigeons began mysteriously falling from the sky and dying in suburban Melbourne. Government investigators have ruled out avian influenza H5N1, and it's suspected the birds were poisoned. The bodies of dozens of birds, along with open bags of bread and seed, were collected from the area, and toxicity testing is underway. While many Aussies delight in feeding birds, the act can have unintended consequences. Firstly, when unnaturally high numbers are lured to one site, it can anger local residents and businesses who object to the noise and smell. Sadly, mass corella poisonings are common in Australia, particularly in regional areas where they are known to be attracted to crops. Feeding the birds can also be bad for them, because they should be getting their nutrition from plants that are indigenous to the landscape, not sunflower seeds, corn and millet. And when large groups congregate in the same area, it can be a recipe for the spread of viruses like psittacine beak and feather disease. 'Sad situation' in suburb after birds die Before the suspected mass-poisoning on July 12 and 13, hundreds of birds were routinely being lured to the Springvale South shopping centre in search of an easy feed, creating chaos on the streets. Wildlife rescuer Michelle Phillips, who spearheaded the response to the poisoning incident, said the new signage was welcome. "Please do not feed the birds. Heavy fines apply," they read. But in Greater Dandenong, the region where the incident occurred, more than 70 per cent of the population speaks a language other than English at home. So she would like to see translations in other languages, to ensure the message is understood by everyone in the community. 'There's definitely no need to feed them,' the South Oakleigh Wildlife Shelter operator told Yahoo News on Monday. "They survive quite happily on a natural diet." While pigeons are still hanging around, locals are reporting corellas have vanished from the area. Most of the flock are now presumed dead, and Phillips describes it as 'a pretty sad situation'. 'Corellas that used to come to people's yards aren't coming anymore. The ones that survived have moved on,' she said. 🌏 Irreplaceable 6.5-hectare forest protected for future generations 😳 Shock new details revealed after dingo decapitation on holiday island 🐳 Major change seen off Australia's coast linked to 'worrying' event Authorities investigating discovery at second location The Conservation Regulator, which sits within the environment department, is continuing to investigate the matter. On Thursday, more dead birds were found in the neighbouring suburb of Dandenong. And the bodies of several pigeons and one corella were collected. 'If you have any knowledge of either incident, please report it on 136 186 or call Crime Stoppers Victoria,' a Conservation Regulator spokesperson said. 'It's illegal and dangerous to poison wildlife, and we're calling on the community to come forward with any information they might have that will help us to track down whoever is responsible.' Separately, anyone who sees a cluster of five or more sick birds or animals is urged to report it to DEECA by calling 136 186 or via the online reporting tool. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
Reuters
5 days ago
- Health
- Reuters
Spain reports bird flu outbreak on turkey farm
PARIS, July 18 (Reuters) - Spain has reported an outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu on a fattening turkey farm in the southwestern region of Extremadura, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) said, citing Spanish authorities. The spread of avian influenza, commonly called bird flu, has ravaged flocks around the world, disrupting supply and fuelling higher food prices. Its spread to mammals, including dairy cows in the United States, has raised concerns among governments about a risk of human transmission. The outbreak killed almost the entire flock of 6,895 turkeys, with the 10 surviving birds slaughtered as a precaution, the report said.
Globe and Mail
16-07-2025
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Cull order on B.C. ostriches a ‘one-size-fits-all' approach, federal appeals court hears
A fight to save nearly 400 ostriches earmarked for slaughter in British Columbia that have received global notoriety and support of the biggest players in U.S. health landed in an Ottawa courtroom Tuesday. A lawyer representing Universal Ostrich Farms, Umar Sheikh, argued at a hearing held by the Federal Court of Appeal that the Canadian Food Inspection Agency plans to apply a 'one-size-fits-all' approach to execute its 'stamping out policy' on the flock. The policy sees birds exposed to avian influenza killed. The virus is a public health concern that scientists fear could develop into a human pandemic. Since April, 2022, the CFIA has killed more than 8.7 million birds in B.C. and 14.5 million nationally in an attempt to contain further spread of the virus. The agency says its approach is consistent with federal legislation and aligns with guidelines from the World Organisation for Animal Health, which co-ordinates animal disease control measures. B.C. farmers appear in court to get reprieve for ostriches ordered culled over avian flu concerns Opinion: Canada wants to kill 400 ostriches. Sadly, it's the right thing to do Tuesday's hearing, which is the result of a challenge to a May Federal Court decision that upheld the CFIA's position to cull the ostriches, is the latest development in a tussle over the flock's fate. The birds have a wide net of supporters who want to see them saved, including the highest-ranking health officials south of the border. On the other hand, they are of particular concern to the Canadian government: the National Centre for Foreign Animal Disease identified the birds as having a genotype not otherwise seen in Canada, linked to a human infection of an Ohio poultry worker. In December, an outbreak began on the farm in Edgewood, a remote community in B.C., and 69 ostriches in the flock of 468 died. In late January, the CFIA said the surviving members would be depopulated, meaning they would be killed. Mr. Sheikh told the court only two surviving ostriches have been tested and 93 per cent of the flock has survived since their exposure to avian influenza. Ostriches differ from chickens and have a greater chance of surviving the virus, he added, noting the birds are still alive today. Lawyers representing the CFIA's position also made submissions to court Tuesday, including on the agency's stamping out policy, which the Federal Court determined to be reasonable. Counsel said the two ostriches tested were positive for avian influenza and the agency's policy is designed to mitigate the spread of the virus. The lawyers also told court that failing to adhere to the policy carries negative trade implications and the agency has considered, but ultimately rejected, a different approach after conducting an analysis. The flock's supporters are not backing down. On the weekend, a fundraiser was held that included a musical performance made by Tamara Lich. She was the central organizer of the 2022 Ottawa convoy, where demonstrators with big-rig trucks stayed in the city for more than three weeks and vocalized opposition to COVID-19 vaccination mandates. Ms. Lich, found guilty of mischief in April in connection with those events, posted on X that she was thrilled to play a small part in the fundraiser. The birds also received backing from Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, who wrote to CFIA President Paul MacKinnon earlier this year. He said the birds could offer insight for new vaccines and therapeutics. Dr. Mehmet Oz, a former TV personality who now leads medicare in the U.S., also offered sanctuary for the birds on his Florida ranch. The farm's owners say the ostriches are like family and they wish to keep them in B.C. Some, such as one named Q-Tip because of his big, fluffy head, have been with them for more than two decades. In recent weeks, dozens of supporters have travelled to the site. One supporter is a 13-year-old teenager from Fraser Valley, B.C., who became Canada's first domestically acquired case of avian flu last fall. She visited the farm with her parents in May. 'They don't deserve to die,' said the young woman, only identified as Joselynn, in an appearance captured by B.C. television reporters.
CTV News
14-07-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Federal Court of Appeal to hear arguments in B.C. ostrich farm avian flu case
An ostrich stands near a warning sign for avian influenza at the Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Hundreds of supporters flocked to the farm over the Victoria Day long weekend to protest the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's order to cull 400 ostriches. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Aaron Hemens The B.C. ostrich farmers who lost dozens of birds in an outbreak of avian flu last winter will be heading to the Federal Court of Appeal on Tuesday as they try to stop the remainder of their herd from being culled. Universal Ostrich Farm near Edgewood, B.C., was ordered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to cull approximately 400 birds after an outbreak of the highly contagious avian flu was discovered on the farm in December. The CFIA maintains a 'stamping out' policy, which includes the destruction of animals and the disinfection of the premises, as defined by the World Organization of Animal Health. The CFIA says it is a critical part of maintaining not only animal and human health but also Canada's status as a reliable international trading partner. In a statement posted to its website in late May, the agency said 'all avian influenza viruses, particularly H5 and H7 viruses, have the potential to infect mammals, including humans.' It noted that the birds on the B.C. farm were infected with a 'novel reassortment' of the virus that had not been seen anywhere else in Canada. The CFIA said keeping the herd alive 'increases the risk of reassortment or mutation of the virus, particularly with birds raised in open pasture where there is ongoing exposure to wildlife.' Universal Ostrich Farm is owned by Karen Espersen and Dave Bilinski. A website dedicated to their fight against the CFIA says they've been raising ostriches for more than 30 years. The pair says destruction of the herd would force them to shut down the farming operation altogether. Until 2020, the birds were raised for meat. In recent years the ostriches have been part of a research project in collaboration with Dr. Yasuhiro Tsukamoto, president of Kyoto Prefectural University in Japan who is also known as Dr. Ostrich. Tsukamoto's research focuses on the antibodies in ostrich egg yolk that can block infectious diseases. The outbreak last winter killed 69 of the 468 ostriches, the farm's website says, and an anonymous tipster reported the farm to the CFIA. The agency ordered the remaining ostriches to be culled by Feb. 1. The farm applied for an exemption for animals with rare genetics because of the research project, but the CFIA denied that application on Jan. 10. The agency said it was not provided documentation, including active research trial logs or detailed research protocols, and said the location is not suitable for controlled trials or research. The farm then sought a judicial review, and was granted a stay of the cull order in the meantime. The CFIA has imposed 19 quarantine measures on the farm, according to the farm's website. It has also issued $20,000 in penalties for failing to report the outbreak and for failing to adhere to quarantine orders. The CFIA said in a statement the farm's actions 'reflect a disregard for regulatory compliance and animal health standards.' Supporters spent several weeks camped out at the property in the early spring and have vowed to fight the CFIA's order. Over the weekend the farm hosted an event it billed as 'Farm Aid Canada,' with a range of musical performers playing over three days. They included Tamara Lich, an organizer of the 'Freedom Convoy' protest that brought downtown Ottawa to a standstill in early 2022, who was convicted in April of mischief for her role in the demonstration. The farm's owners said online that the event was a way to fundraise for the legal fees and travel costs of getting to Ottawa for Tuesday's hearing. The case has garnered international attention, including from U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and TV personality Dr. Mehmet Oz. The farm's owners declined Dr. Oz's offer to relocate the herd to his own Florida property. Kennedy wrote a public letter to the CFIA's president, Paul MacKinnon, arguing there was significant value in studying the birds' immune response to the virus. Universal Ostrich Farm applied to the Federal Court for a judicial review of the CFIA's order to cull the herd, and the court dismissed both applications on May 13. The judge ruled that the agency's decision to order the cull was reasonable and procedurally fair, and noted that it is not up to the courts to resolve scientific disputes. The Federal Court of Appeal denied the farm's request for independent testing on June 20, and ordered an expedited appeal. The hearing is scheduled for one day. This report by Sarah Ritchie, The Canadian Press, was first published July 14, 2025.
