The H5N1 strain of bird flu has been found in several bird species across Australia. This indicates that the virus is no longer just arriving via migratory birds but is now spreading among local wildlife.

澳洲的幾種鳥類中發現了 H5N1 禽流感病毒。這顯示病毒不再僅是透過候鳥傳入，而是在本地野生動物之間傳播。

The virus first entered the Australian environment through migratory birds coming from South America via the Southern Ocean. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins reported 12 confirmed cases. A key discovery was an infected greater crested tern in South Australia; because this bird does not migrate, it suggests the virus is now spreading within the continent. Professor David Paton and other ecologists believe that scavenger birds, such as gulls, may be carrying the virus from dead birds to inland populations. Consequently, species that gather in large groups, like pelicans and terns, or those with low immunity, such as black swans, are at higher risk.

病毒最初是透過從南美洲經南冰洋飛抵的候鳥進入澳洲環境。農業部長 Julie Collins 報告了 12 例確診病例。一個關鍵發現是在南澳洲發現了一隻感染的大冠燕鷗；由於這種鳥不遷徙，這顯示病毒目前正在大陸內部傳播。David Paton 教授和其他生態學家認為，如海鷗等食腐鳥類可能會將病毒從死鳥傳播到內陸族群。因此，像鵜鶘和燕鷗等大群聚集的物種，或像黑天鵝等免疫力較低的物種，風險較高。

The Coorong National Park is considered a high-risk area because it hosts up to 300,000 birds during certain seasons. However, this ecosystem is currently in poor condition. Ecologist Faith Coleman emphasized that the area is severely damaged due to a lack of water from the River Murray and high salt levels. Furthermore, the federal government has officially classified the lower River Murray as critically endangered. There are also concerns about the virus jumping to mammals, as a young New Zealand fur seal in New South Wales is currently being monitored for infection.

Coorong 國家公園被視為高風險區域，因為在特定季節會聚集高達 30 萬隻鳥。然而，該生態系統目前的狀況不佳。生態學家 Faith Coleman 強調，由於墨累河缺水及鹽分過高，該地區遭到嚴重破壞。此外，聯邦政府已正式將墨累河下游列為嚴重瀕危。同時，人們也擔心病毒會跳轉至哺乳類動物，新南威爾斯州的一隻幼年紐西蘭毛皮海豹目前正接受感染監測。

Different groups are responding to the crisis with various safety measures. For instance, the Wildlife Welfare Organisation in Goolwa started a two-week lockdown after receiving an infected bird. Additionally, Ngarrindjeri elder Mark Koolmatrie has warned people not to collect feathers from dead birds to avoid catching the virus. He also noted that the loss of these important species would have a deep spiritual impact on First Nations communities.

不同團體正採取各種安全措施來應對危機。例如，Goolwa 的野生動物福利組織在收到一隻感染鳥類後，開始了為期兩週的封鎖。此外，Ngarrindjeri 長老 Mark Koolmatrie 警告民眾不要收集死鳥的羽毛，以免感染病毒。他還指出，失去這些重要物種將對原住民社區產生深遠的精神影響。

Australia has moved from being virus-free to dealing with local wildlife infections, which could lead to many bird deaths and the potential spread to mammals.

澳洲已從原先沒有病毒，轉變為需應對本地野生動物感染，這可能導致大量鳥類死亡，並有潛在風險傳播至哺乳類動物。