Residents 'gutted' as more cases of H5 bird flu emerge in NSW
The NSW government will no longer report individual cases of H5 bird flu as the deadly disease continues to spread.
Seven new cases of H5 bird flu have been detected on New South Wales' far south coast, prompting the state government to shift to a new reporting system that refers to events involving one or multiple birds, rather than individual cases. Biosecurity signs have been installed at popular swimming spots in Merimbula, warning the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and marine animals.
Locals, such as resident Andrew Dovell, expressed distress over the potential for more bird deaths due to the disease. Ecologist Steve Sass, while concerned about the latest detections, emphasized the highly contagious nature of the strain and the uncertainty of its spread. The H5 bird flu has also affected other parts of Australia, including South Australia and Tasmania, with significant bird mortality events reported.
The public is urged to report sightings of sick or dead animals to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
Brief written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
