bird flu

The farm is not a commercial operation, so there is no threat to the national pork supply, according to the USDA.

Participants dosed with the vaccine will be tested for their response to ‘pre-pandemic avian influenza strain H7N9.’

Preparation have begun as Australia enters migration season.

Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is concerned avian influenza could present an extinction risk to some birds.

Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said Australia ‘cannot rest on our laurels.’

This is the second case of bird flu detected in the ACT and 12th in Australia.

While scientists strive to improve human health and well-being, gain-of-function research could cause more harm than good.

More than 1.2 million birds have been culled in Australia.

H5N1 was discovered in dairy cows in March—marking the first time dairy cattle have become infected. It has since been found in 200 animals and three people.

The farm was already in lockdown.

This is on top of 240,000 birds that will be impacted after the first case of H7N8 was discovered in NSW.

A biosecurity ‘emergency’ plan has been activated. NSW Premier Chris Minns said there is ‘no reason to panic.’

This is separate to the strain detected in Victoria. The government reassured NSW consumers not to be worried about eggs and poultry products from supermarkets.

There is no evidence showing the virus can be transmitted via properly cooked chicken and eggs, according to Food Standards Australia New Zealand.

‘It’s not a question of if, it’s more a question of when we will have a bird flu pandemic,’ Dr. Robert Redfield said.

‘It is not a matter of ’if‘ but ’when‘ the next pandemic occurs,’ the New Zealand COVID-19 Royal Commission inquiry chair said.

The minister says Australians should not be concerned with the possibility of egg shortages.