Avian Influenza Poses Serious Risk to Australia's Biodiversity

Kathmandu. Experts have warned that Australia's mainland could face serious risks to its biodiversity after the third case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) was confirmed. The deaths of three seabirds in the Australian state of South Australia have been confirmed as due to H5N1 infection. Cases of infection had previously been seen in the state of Western Australia.

According to Professor Yuen Ritchi of Deakin University, Australia, although the infection appears limited so far, there is a possibility of it spreading to other wildlife and livestock. He said that the virus could pose a particular risk to many of Australia's native species, as their populations are small, declining, or concentrated in limited geographical areas. According to him, mass mortality events could cause irreversible damage to some species.

Globally, millions of birds have died due to H5N1 infection, and the infection is spreading to mammals that eat the carcasses of infected animals. Ritchi warned that carnivorous marsupial species in Australia such as the endangered Tasmanian Devil and Quoll could also be at risk. According to him, animals like kangaroos, wallabies, possums, and bandicoots are also not free from the risk of infection as they can come into contact with infected meat. He said that the virus could also be fatal for the populations of Australian sea lions and black swans.

Last week, scientists released an estimate that about 13,000 southern elephant seal pups died due to H5N1 infection on Heard Island, an external territory of Australia. The virus has also been found in other species on Heard and McDonald Islands, including penguins, fur seals, and seabirds.

Experts said that the infection could affect the entire ecosystem, not just individual species. They stated that if the infection spreads to predator species, the population of prey species could increase disproportionately, and the death of a large number of aquatic birds could affect water quality and cause extensive damage to fish.

The Australian government had allocated 113 million Australian dollars to strengthen preparedness against H5N1 even before the confirmation of infection on the mainland. Officials have urged the public to report any sick or dead wildlife to the relevant authorities and to avoid direct contact with wildlife.