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Beyond Poultry: Cattle, Pigs, Farm Cats on the Frontlines of Virus Spread

BirdLife Australia president Professor Hugh Possingham warned on Friday that an H5N1 bird flu outbreak in Australia is "very likely," posing a fatal threat to native wildlife and pet cats as the continent records its first cases.
Professor Raina MacIntyre of the Kirby Institute urged landholders to maintain a "high index of suspicion," noting viruses are airborne and aerosolized through contaminated dust. Poultry and backyard farms face the greatest risk from wild birds.
A brewing debate over off-leash dogs and duck hunting focuses on transmission risks, as hunting dogs may disturb infected carcasses. The NSW government advises leashing dogs near wild birds, while duck hunting remains permitted in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory, and Victoria.
Officials urge the public to monitor animals for neurological symptoms in cats or strange bird behavior. Residents should avoid touching sick animals and report sightings to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.
The United States Agriculture Department reported around 200 million birds have died or been culled due to bird flu. With 72 confirmed human infections in the U.S., global experiences underscore the virus's potential to devastate agricultural systems and livestock industries.

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