H5N1 Bird Flu Reaches Australia, Authorities Urge Calm

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been detected in Australia for the first time, touching off concern for wildlife but also calls to avoid panic. Australian officials confirmed the presence of the deadly strain on the mainland this week, though no human cases have been reported. The arrival of H5N1, which has devastated bird populations across Asia and the Americas, puts Australia's poultry industry and native bird species on watch. The country had been one of the few landmasses free of the highly pathogenic strain. Federal and state animal health authorities said they are increasing surveillance and urged the public to report dead or sick birds. They stressed that properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe to eat. Environmental groups called for more funding to monitor wild bird populations, which can act as reservoirs for the virus. The discovery follows a global spread of H5N1 that has killed millions of wild birds and forced the culling of hundreds of millions of domestic poultry.