Ecologists warn deadly H5N1 bird flu could arrive in Australia via Antarctica as preparations ramp up

Influx of highly pathogenic strain a case of ‘not if, but when’ and could devastate native wildlife, experts say

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The Australian government is ramping up preparations for a highly pathogenic and contagious strain of bird flu potentially reaching Australia via its Antarctic territory and Macquarie Island, warning it could devastate wildlife and be passed to people.

Government agencies led by the Australian Antarctic Division at a planning exercise in Hobart on Wednesday were told an influx of the virulent H5N1 Avian flu strain that has killed millions of seabirds, wild birds and poultry overseas was a case of “not if, but when”.

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