Australia's H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak Surpasses 200 Cases

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has reported that confirmed or suspected cases of the H5N1 strain in Australia have reached 203 as of Saturday. The number of confirmed cases has surged by 290 per cent since the beginning of August, up from 52 cases recorded at the end of July. Of the total cases, 147 have been detected in South Australia, including 28 new cases confirmed on Saturday. DAFF stated that all 28 new cases in South Australia were found in wild seabirds. Victoria recorded the second-highest number of cases among the states, with 43, including 36 birds confirmed on Thursday and Friday after being discovered in the west of the state, near the border with South Australia. The Victorian government announced on Friday that poultry farmers along the state’s southern coast, including in Melbourne, who keep at least 50 birds are required to house their poultry for an initial 14-day period. Victorian Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle said the government hopes the preventative measure will curb the spread of the H5N1 strain.