August 5, 2026 • 9 mins
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Listen
Watch
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Throughout the news this week, it has been confirmed that
Australia has recorded its first mass wildlife deaths from the
deadly H five bird flu, with dozens of greater crested
turns found dead on an island off South Australia's southeast coast.
There are now seventy eight confirmed cases nationwide, but authorities
stress that there's no evidence the virus has spread to
(00:22):
poultry and the risk to human health remains low. Experts
do warn, though, that more wildlife deaths are expected as
the disease spreads. So what can we expect here in
the Northern Territory. Well, joining us live in the studio
is the Chief Veterery Officer, Doctor Sue Fitzpatrick. Good morning
to you. Good morning Katie, So thanks so much for
(00:42):
your time this morning. Now we've seen Australia's first mass
wildlife deaths from H five bird flu, how concerns should
territorians be about the risk of the virus reaching the
Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, so overseas we've seen the trend of the mass
mortality and certainly move through at present. We've seen the
detections in the greater crested goals and and the silver goals,
which are sea goals. We know that they're everywhere across Australia,
so there is likely to be continuous spread. They will
be spread into other species and so it is a
(01:17):
matter of waiting. And we have the you know, migratory
birds that will come in from interstate. We also have
the continued risk from the migratory birds from the north
coming in, so we are at risk from all directions.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
It sort of sounds like it's a naughty if, but
we kind of scenario it is.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
It is exactly that. And you know, since we last spoke,
you know, we've we've done some planning. We've got enhanced surveillance,
so we've expanded our surveillance across the territory. We're working
with a whole range of stakeholders which include a whole
range of things. The reporting line, so we continue our
(02:00):
public messaging for the multiple sick and dead birds to
be reported to the one eight hundred number one eight
hundred and six to seventy five Triple eight. That's the
Emergency Animal Disease hotline. And so we do triage those
calls and follow up with testing if required that meets
(02:21):
the criteria we're also doing observational surveillance across the wetlands
and the coastline to look at the populations at risk,
see if there is any mortality events there and just
to look at the numbers. And we are also expanding
our environmental sampling, so this is where there is aggregations
(02:44):
of birds and we do go in at sunlight and
we collect collect a sample there to do our testing
to see what strain of bird flu because we do
have low pathogenic strains of bird flu that ye as well.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
It sounds like there's actually of a lot going on
behind the scenes really, you know, in terms of all
the work that you've just outlined there. I mean, how
vulnerable are we here in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
So it is a matter of time. It's expected that
we will have bird flu and the public do need
to prepare themselves for deaths in wild birds, potentially in
wildlife and particularly our poultry, our poultry owners, We do
want them to be prepared, increase their bisecurity measures and
(03:34):
there's a number of things that they can do.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
What should they do?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yeah, so limiting the contact with wild birds. Wild birds
remain the number one transmission threat to domestic poultry. That's
where they can enclose the runs and they can remove
bird attractants, so things like water baths and the like
around where their poultry are, protect fear water supplies, and
(04:00):
make sure they're clean and stocked, make sure that they're undercover,
so putting the run undercover. Upgrading their biosecurity, so having
a dedicated footwear just to wear in the pen, potentially
foot bath, washing hands, not sharing equipment with others if possible,
(04:23):
and when they're buying new birds just to quarantine them
or isolate them for a period of time from the
other birds. The other thing is monitoring their flock for
any symptoms of burflu.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
So you touched on there that you know that obviously
wild birds are at risk, but you're also touched on
you know, people that have got chooks and that sort
of thing. You mentioned wildlife, what about live stock, Like,
are we worried that if we do end up with
this H five bird flu here in the Northern Territory
that it could spread to livestock as well?
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Yeah, So the risk assessments that are being done and
our international experience are that cattle in particular, but livestock
are unlikely to be impacted. There was in the US
a different genotype of bird flu that did affect the
dairy cattle there. But the advice that we have is
(05:20):
that the livestock industries will not be infected.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Now, if territorians do come across sick or dead wild birds,
what do they need to do and what shouldn't they do?
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Okay, so we do want them to avoid them if possible,
record the location, take a picture, no potentially the species,
and report it to the one eight hundred six seven
five triple eight number. What we will do is look
at that information and certainly record it. It's important that
(05:55):
we have all those calls. We know that in many
circumstances may not come out to collect the bird, to
sample the bird. Yep, it depends on our triage process
and how long the bird has been dead and what
species that can potentially be. But it's important that the
reports are done so that we can monitor where they're
(06:16):
all coming from, and if there is a trend for
sick and dead birds in a particular area, you know,
we can actually action that.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Yeah, and look, this is probably a real layman kind
of comment a question, but I sort of think about
some of the wild birds that we've got here, particularly
those orange footed bush fowl, and you kind of think
to yourself, if it does end up here in the
Northern territory, and if it were to end up, you know,
with some of those bird species, it feels like it
could spread quite quickly because you see them getting around
sort of everywhere, digging around in everything. I mean, is
(06:45):
that like, is that something that could happen.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
So it's hard to know in Australia, and I think
our learnings from down south will be really important before
we have our first case here. However, there's been over
five hundred species of birds worldwide infected with significant mortalities,
(07:09):
so we can expect a wide range of bird species
to be affected and certainly spread that that will likely
occur quickly.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Yeah, looking ahead, will there do you think that there
may still be more measures to come if we do
end up with the bird flu here or is it
sort of a bit of a you know, at this
point in time, wait and watch.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
So we do have plans and it is slightly different
to traditional you know, emergency animal disease approach that we
take where we try to eradicate the disease because it
is now considered transmission in the local wildlife population where
we're unlikely to be able to eradicate or contain it,
(07:54):
so we need to prepare ourselves. That means that we
you know, we will not be putting the strict movement
controls on. We will not be looking to euthanase poultry,
commercial poultry or backyard poultry. So it is quite a
different approach and it's really the focus on the bi
security measures for poultry owners and protective measures for our
(08:20):
wild birds and wildlife.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
So just remind us that phone number that you touched
on earlier. If somebody does happen to see something that
they think is really unusual or is there somebody that
you know that poultry owners if they need to contact somebody,
is there some way that they can go for further inflow.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah, So there is information on birdflu dot gov dot AU.
So that is the key Commonwealth information. We do have
information on the Antique government website as well, but one
eight hundred and six to seven five triple eight is
the the contact number. There is also accession this weekend
(09:00):
Darwin and Rural Poultry Club, Lakeview Hall at Fred's Pass Reserve,
nine am Saturday, perfect of August, so I'll be there
to talk about all things bird flu. And we will
also have our Livestock Identification Systems Administrator who registers all
the poultry owners, so we'll both be there perfect anyone
(09:23):
that has poultry or questions.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
I reckon that's a great idea because then people can
actually come and see you face to face and get
any of that info that they actually need. So that
is good to hear. Chief Veteriny Officer for the Northern Territory,
Doctor Sue Fitzpatrick, really appreciate your time this morning. Thank
you very much for joining us.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Thank you
Throughout the news this week, it has been confirmed that
Australia has recorded its first mass wildlife deaths from the
deadly H five bird flu, with dozens of greater crested
turns found dead on an island off South Australia's southeast coast.
There are now seventy eight confirmed cases nationwide, but authorities
stress that there's no evidence the virus has spread to
(00:22):
poultry and the risk to human health remains low. Experts
do warn, though, that more wildlife deaths are expected as
the disease spreads. So what can we expect here in
the Northern Territory. Well, joining us live in the studio
is the Chief Veterery Officer, Doctor Sue Fitzpatrick. Good morning
to you. Good morning Katie, So thanks so much for
(00:42):
your time this morning. Now we've seen Australia's first mass
wildlife deaths from H five bird flu, how concerns should
territorians be about the risk of the virus reaching the
Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yeah, so overseas we've seen the trend of the mass
mortality and certainly move through at present. We've seen the
detections in the greater crested goals and and the silver goals,
which are sea goals. We know that they're everywhere across Australia,
so there is likely to be continuous spread. They will
be spread into other species and so it is a
(01:17):
matter of waiting. And we have the you know, migratory
birds that will come in from interstate. We also have
the continued risk from the migratory birds from the north
coming in, so we are at risk from all directions.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
It sort of sounds like it's a naughty if, but
we kind of scenario it is.
Speaker 2 (01:37):
It is exactly that. And you know, since we last spoke,
you know, we've we've done some planning. We've got enhanced surveillance,
so we've expanded our surveillance across the territory. We're working
with a whole range of stakeholders which include a whole
range of things. The reporting line, so we continue our
(02:00):
public messaging for the multiple sick and dead birds to
be reported to the one eight hundred number one eight
hundred and six to seventy five Triple eight. That's the
Emergency Animal Disease hotline. And so we do triage those
calls and follow up with testing if required that meets
(02:21):
the criteria we're also doing observational surveillance across the wetlands
and the coastline to look at the populations at risk,
see if there is any mortality events there and just
to look at the numbers. And we are also expanding
our environmental sampling, so this is where there is aggregations
(02:44):
of birds and we do go in at sunlight and
we collect collect a sample there to do our testing
to see what strain of bird flu because we do
have low pathogenic strains of bird flu that ye as well.
Speaker 1 (02:58):
It sounds like there's actually of a lot going on
behind the scenes really, you know, in terms of all
the work that you've just outlined there. I mean, how
vulnerable are we here in the Northern Territory.
Speaker 2 (03:10):
So it is a matter of time. It's expected that
we will have bird flu and the public do need
to prepare themselves for deaths in wild birds, potentially in
wildlife and particularly our poultry, our poultry owners, We do
want them to be prepared, increase their bisecurity measures and
(03:34):
there's a number of things that they can do.
Speaker 1 (03:36):
What should they do?
Speaker 2 (03:37):
Yeah, so limiting the contact with wild birds. Wild birds
remain the number one transmission threat to domestic poultry. That's
where they can enclose the runs and they can remove
bird attractants, so things like water baths and the like
around where their poultry are, protect fear water supplies, and
(04:00):
make sure they're clean and stocked, make sure that they're undercover,
so putting the run undercover. Upgrading their biosecurity, so having
a dedicated footwear just to wear in the pen, potentially
foot bath, washing hands, not sharing equipment with others if possible,
(04:23):
and when they're buying new birds just to quarantine them
or isolate them for a period of time from the
other birds. The other thing is monitoring their flock for
any symptoms of burflu.
Speaker 1 (04:37):
So you touched on there that you know that obviously
wild birds are at risk, but you're also touched on
you know, people that have got chooks and that sort
of thing. You mentioned wildlife, what about live stock, Like,
are we worried that if we do end up with
this H five bird flu here in the Northern Territory
that it could spread to livestock as well?
Speaker 2 (04:57):
Yeah, So the risk assessments that are being done and
our international experience are that cattle in particular, but livestock
are unlikely to be impacted. There was in the US
a different genotype of bird flu that did affect the
dairy cattle there. But the advice that we have is
(05:20):
that the livestock industries will not be infected.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
Now, if territorians do come across sick or dead wild birds,
what do they need to do and what shouldn't they do?
Speaker 2 (05:32):
Okay, so we do want them to avoid them if possible,
record the location, take a picture, no potentially the species,
and report it to the one eight hundred six seven
five triple eight number. What we will do is look
at that information and certainly record it. It's important that
(05:55):
we have all those calls. We know that in many
circumstances may not come out to collect the bird, to
sample the bird. Yep, it depends on our triage process
and how long the bird has been dead and what
species that can potentially be. But it's important that the
reports are done so that we can monitor where they're
(06:16):
all coming from, and if there is a trend for
sick and dead birds in a particular area, you know,
we can actually action that.
Speaker 1 (06:23):
Yeah, and look, this is probably a real layman kind
of comment a question, but I sort of think about
some of the wild birds that we've got here, particularly
those orange footed bush fowl, and you kind of think
to yourself, if it does end up here in the
Northern territory, and if it were to end up, you know,
with some of those bird species, it feels like it
could spread quite quickly because you see them getting around
sort of everywhere, digging around in everything. I mean, is
(06:45):
that like, is that something that could happen.
Speaker 2 (06:48):
So it's hard to know in Australia, and I think
our learnings from down south will be really important before
we have our first case here. However, there's been over
five hundred species of birds worldwide infected with significant mortalities,
(07:09):
so we can expect a wide range of bird species
to be affected and certainly spread that that will likely
occur quickly.
Speaker 1 (07:18):
Yeah, looking ahead, will there do you think that there
may still be more measures to come if we do
end up with the bird flu here or is it
sort of a bit of a you know, at this
point in time, wait and watch.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
So we do have plans and it is slightly different
to traditional you know, emergency animal disease approach that we
take where we try to eradicate the disease because it
is now considered transmission in the local wildlife population where
we're unlikely to be able to eradicate or contain it,
(07:54):
so we need to prepare ourselves. That means that we
you know, we will not be putting the strict movement
controls on. We will not be looking to euthanase poultry,
commercial poultry or backyard poultry. So it is quite a
different approach and it's really the focus on the bi
security measures for poultry owners and protective measures for our
(08:20):
wild birds and wildlife.
Speaker 1 (08:23):
So just remind us that phone number that you touched
on earlier. If somebody does happen to see something that
they think is really unusual or is there somebody that
you know that poultry owners if they need to contact somebody,
is there some way that they can go for further inflow.
Speaker 2 (08:38):
Yeah, So there is information on birdflu dot gov dot AU.
So that is the key Commonwealth information. We do have
information on the Antique government website as well, but one
eight hundred and six to seven five triple eight is
the the contact number. There is also accession this weekend
(09:00):
Darwin and Rural Poultry Club, Lakeview Hall at Fred's Pass Reserve,
nine am Saturday, perfect of August, so I'll be there
to talk about all things bird flu. And we will
also have our Livestock Identification Systems Administrator who registers all
the poultry owners, so we'll both be there perfect anyone
(09:23):
that has poultry or questions.
Speaker 1 (09:24):
I reckon that's a great idea because then people can
actually come and see you face to face and get
any of that info that they actually need. So that
is good to hear. Chief Veteriny Officer for the Northern Territory,
Doctor Sue Fitzpatrick, really appreciate your time this morning. Thank
you very much for joining us.
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Thank you
Popular Podcasts
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Betrayal Weekly
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com