Monitoring Migrating Birds for Avian Flu in Australia

Flocks of migrating birds arriving in Australia during spring bring with them the potential threat of a highly infectious strain of bird flu. As the spring months unfold, dedicated groups across the country ramp up efforts to monitor the health of these avian arrivals, employing techniques such as swabs and blood tests to detect the presence of deadly viral strains like H5N1 2.3.4.4b.

The National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program, driven by Wildlife Health Australia, keeps a watchful eye on migrating species that traverse the globe, potentially carrying the virus to Australian shores. This task is critical as Australia remains the last continent free from this deadly disease, which has caused massive fatalities among wild and domestic birds worldwide.

Monitoring Avian Health: A Coordinated Effort

On a recent Saturday, the sunset scene at Victoria’s Phillip Island transformed into a flurry of activity not because of the breathtaking panorama but due to the arrival of short-tailed shearwaters. Virologist Michelle Wille, armed with head torches, led volunteers and scientists in the strategic monitoring process. Michelle Wille’s involvement highlights the crucial role played by virologists and bird enthusiasts in taking preventive measures against the potential outbreak.

Dr. Wille and her team are part of numerous surveillance squads nationwide, each tasked with identifying the dangerous H5N1 strain. While the virus has wreaked havoc in various regions globally, timely surveillance may prevent its establishment in Australia.

Catching and Testing: The Rigorous Science Behind Bird Flu Surveillance

Capturing birds for testing requires a strategic approach. Dedicated “catching teams” adeptly handle the nuances of capturing different bird types, ensuring minimal stress to the birds. The methods vary: short-tailed shearwaters are picked up as they waddle to their burrows, while shorebirds are caught using techniques like “cannon netting,” a tactic leveraging a scrunched net fired from a cannon to catch the speedy waders. Waterfowl such as ducks and swans are lured into baited traps.

Back at the nesting colonies, the “processing team,” which includes individuals like Dr. Wille, carefully collects key samples. This involves swabbing inside the bird’s mouth and cloaca and drawing tiny blood samples from their wing veins, akin to blood sugar tests in humans. These samples are subsequently sent to the World Health Organization Collaborating Centre at the Doherty Institute in Melbourne for analysis.

The Role of Public Vigilance

As Dr. Wille continues her field research, heading next to Koo Wee Rup, vigilance extends beyond the scientific community. The public plays an important role by reporting sightings of sick or dead wild birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888. This collaboration between scientists and the public forms the biosecurity frontline, essential in protecting the region from a potential bird flu epidemic.

The continued efforts of scientists like Dr. Michelle Wille and dedicated teams demonstrate a proactive approach to safeguarding both avian and public health, exemplifying an integrated model for disease prevention.