Bird Flu Looms: Western Australia Prepares for the Inevitable Spread Bird flu is a highly infectious and often fatal disease that has been gaining attention globally due to its rapid spread among bird populations.
Western Australia's agricultural industry, which accounts for a significant portion of the state's economy, remains heavily reliant on poultry farming, making it vulnerable to the virus.
Australia's experience with bird flu began in 1976 when a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus was detected on a farm in Queensland.