Expert Warns of Monitoring Gaps in Australia's Bird Flu Response

The H5N1 avian influenza strain is spreading along southern Australia's coast, killing thousands of wild birds and infecting at least two long-nosed fur seals, according to recent reports.

Researchers warn that the virus may soon reach inland wetlands as El Niño conditions shrink water sources, forcing waterfowl to congregate and increasing the risk of widespread contamination.

The Australian government has evacuated researchers from Macquarie Island to protect their health, as the island's dense colonies of penguins and seals remain highly vulnerable to a potential outbreak.