It’s easier to steal another seabird’s meal than catch your own fish. But this behaviour by skuas, frigatebirds and gulls is contributing to the spread of lethal avian influenza
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Articles on Avian flu
Displaying 1 - 20 of 60 articles
The H5N1 virus has infected about 900 people since 2003, and more than half of them died. But so far there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission.
The lethal strain of highly pathogenic bird flu is everywhere – except Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. Here’s how we’re planning for its arrival
H5N1 is the latest evidence that climate change is altering how viruses spread and evolve. It is essential that global public health officials take these dynamics into account.
Our approach to combating pandemics must shift to one that prioritizes prevention of human infections with zoonotic viruses, rather than focusing on rapid response once human infection is widespread.
Coles’ decision is likely more of a precautionary move that reflects its own specific supply chain. It will also help deter against panic buying.
Can the virus transfer from infected farm animals to contaminate milk, meat or eggs? It depends on where you are and how well you cook your food. But for most of us, the chances are low.
Contact tracing didn’t identify any cases beyond this child. While the risk to the public is very low, the global situation with bird flu is precarious.
Migratory birds could bring the lethal bird flu variant that is assailing the rest of the world’s birds.
A veterinarian and epidemiologist who studies infectious diseases in dairy cows discusses the outbreak, how cows recover and what the government is doing to keep the milk supply safe.
Five livestock experts who study infectious diseases in the dairy industry explain the risks.
For now there’s no spread of H5N1 between humans, which is good news. But bird flu is evolving, and we need to stay vigilant.
People should minimise contact with birds in areas affected by bird flu viruses, including farms and settings where live animals may be sold or slaughtered.
Bird flu is decimating species already threatened by climate change and habitat loss.
A deadly strain of bird flu is circulating in animals. So far the virus has been detected in seabirds on islands near Antarctica. What does this mean for wildlife, tourism and research?
South Africa’s biosecurity breaches signal capacity challenges in farm biosecurity measures and the country’s veterinary and related support services.
The three flu pandemics of the 20th century originated from birds, making it critical to fight bird flu. Breakthroughs in gene-editing chickens show promise for eliminating the disease in the future.
New and innovative thinking is needed to deal with the reality on the ground in South Africa.
Vaccination against bird flu offers farmers hope, rather than being caught between the anguish of finding a sick bird and the desolation of having to slaughter their entire flock.
Australia’s biosecurity system is on high alert for alien invaders. Here’s a hit list of eight baddies we believe pose the greatest threat to Australia’s biodiversity.
Top contributors
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Senior research fellow, The University of Melbourne
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Anthropologie, EHESS, CNRS, Laboratoire d'anthropologie sociale, Collège de France, Auteurs historiques The Conversation France
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Professor of Global Biosecurity, NHMRC L3 Research Fellow, Head, Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney
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Associate Professor of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University
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PhD Candidate, Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, UNSW Sydney
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Associate Professor | Director, DNA Zoo Australia, The University of Western Australia
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Professor of Immunology and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Studies, University of Guelph
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Research Fellow, Pacific Institute on Pathogens, Pandemics and Society, Simon Fraser University
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Lecturer and Assistant Specialist in Cooperative Extension, University of California, Davis
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Senior Fellow, Department of Agricultural Economics, Stellenbosch University
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Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, University of Liverpool
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Associate Professor of Markets, Public Policy and Law, Boston University
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Honorary Senior Lecturer in Virology and President of Research-Aid Networks, University of Kent
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Associate Professor of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan
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Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology, Columbia University
