Bird Flu Hits Australia, Bringing Neurological Symptoms

The story is by Angelique Donnellan.

The story is also by Jenya Goloubeva.

The story is also by Xanthe Kleinig.

It is from 7.30.

The topic is birds.

In South Australia, people saw a bird acting strangely.

This story has some upsetting images and videos.

The bird was flapping its wings and turning in circles.

A veterinarian thinks the bird has H5N1 bird flu because of its symptoms.

Birds with the flu will die.

Maureen Christie helps take care of birds in South Australia.

Now she is documenting how the flu is affecting her area.

Ms Christie is very sad about the dead birds.

Ms Christie is worried about the many dead birds at Carpenter Rocks.

There are many dead birds on the beach.

Sick birds often sit alone and look unhappy.

There is a dead bird on the beach at Carpenter Rocks.

Ms Christie saw two sick silver gulls.

It is very sad because the birds cannot be saved.

There have been many cases of bird flu in South Australia.

Once birds have the flu, they will die.

There is a list of animals that are in danger.

Some penguins will get a vaccine for the flu.

Almost 400 animals are at risk from the bird flu.

The government will give money to help vulnerable birds.

The minister is concerned about the unique animals in Australia.

Some money will go to helping the animals' homes.

A virologist is worried about the flu's impact on native birds.

Some birds may be more susceptible to the flu.

It has been two months since the flu was found in Australia.

The flu has been found in all six states.

The virologist says Australia's isolation may affect the birds' immunity.

The flu has affected many countries around the world.

Many birds have died from the flu worldwide.

The flu first appeared in Southern China in 1996.

The flu has evolved over time.

Farmers are worried about the flu.

An egg producer is preparing for the worst.

The flu has not been found in Australian poultry yet.

The risk to humans is low.

The flu is very bad for poultry.

Farmers are taking precautions.

One farmer has strict rules for his property.

The farmer's farm is at less risk because it is not free-range.

The farmer has introduced new protocols.

Some poultry farms have locked down.

If one chicken is sick, the whole farm may be culled.

The flu would be very costly for farmers.

The flu could affect the food supply.

Some breeds of birds may be lost forever.

The poultry industry is on high alert.

Poultry fanciers are worried.

One woman has over 100 birds and is secretary of a poultry association.

She helped run a show with heightened biosecurity.

Some bird shows have been cancelled.

The woman is worried about rare breeds.

Vaccines have been used in Asia to manage the flu.

The government is considering using vaccines in Australia.

The government will stop testing every dead bird.

It is hard to predict how the flu will spread.

The flu is likely to stay in Australia.

The first case of local transmission was in South Australia.

This strain of the flu is very effective at spreading.

The Netherlands is still having outbreaks.

A woman in Carpenter Rocks is trying to stay positive.

She hopes the birds will eventually recover.

The death toll will be what it will be.

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