Backyard bird feeders could speed H5N1 spread across Australia
About half of Australian homes feed wild birds, with many doing so daily, creating gathering spots where H5N1 virus spreads quickly between bird species and to scavenger animals.
H5N1 bird flu has killed more than 1,000 crested terns and a fur seal in Australia. Backyard feeders attract multiple bird species together in ways nature wouldn't, creating hotspots for disease spread.
The virus then spreads to scavengers like possums, foxes and crows that eat infected bird bodies. Experts say the safest option is to stop feeding birds entirely.
If people continue, they should reduce food amounts, clean feeders regularly, and move feeders to stop birds gathering.
- More than 1,000
- Crested terns killed
- About half
- Australian households feeding birds
- Possums, red foxes, crows
- Scavenger species affected
Why it mattersA popular hobby that millions do could speed up a deadly disease already killing Australian wildlife.
AustraliaAffects roughly half of Australian households and directly threatens Australian bird species already facing H5N1 infection.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 45 d ago
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