Researchers at Deakin University have been studying migratory shorebirds and their movement patterns for years, with the goal of predicting the spread of avian influenza, or bird flu. Dr. Sara Ryding, based at the Deakin Center for Marine Science, has been modeling outbreaks of bird flu overseas and using that data to make predictions for Australia. A recent study published in Scientific Reports and co-authored by Dr. Tobias Ross and Professor Marcel Klaassen explores how susceptible wild birds are to bird flu, particularly the highly pathogenic strain H5N1, which has been spreading globally among wildlife. Avian influenza has naturally existed in bird populations for a long time, typically in the form of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI), which causes mild illness in birds. However, under certain environmental and human-driven pressures—such as the industrialization of poultry farming—these viruses can evolve into more dangerous high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) strains. The H5N1 strain, currently affecting birds and other animals worldwide, is a prime example of such a mutation. Dr. Ryding highlights that certain bird species are more likely to come into contact with the H5N1 virus. These include seabirds like Australasian gannets, which live in large colonies; pink-eared ducks, which forage in water and may encounter infected bird droppings; birds of prey; and scavengers like ravens and magpies, which often feed on dead or dying birds. The virus has also impacted marine mammals in South America, particularly sea lions. However, some animals can build immunity after exposure, which might help them resist the virus in the future. Tracking the movement of birds is essential to understanding how the virus spreads. Dr. Ryding explains that wild birds act as carriers, moving the virus across landscapes. To better monitor this, researchers are using AviFluMap, a model developed by Deakin University in collaboration with Wildlife Health Australia and BirdLife Australia. This tool combines various data sources to provide a detailed and evidence-based map of H5N1 risks among wild birds in Australia. A significant development in the current outbreak was the discovery of dead greater crested terns, which signaled that the virus had moved from giant petrels—marine birds that rarely visit the Australian mainland—to an Australian bird species. This was followed by reports of seal and dolphin deaths, indicating the virus had spread to Australian marine mammals. Given the country's vast size and extensive coastlines, monitoring the virus's spread is a complex task that requires collaboration across many agencies. Citizen scientists have played a vital role in identifying and reporting cases. Dr. Ryding encourages the public to avoid handling sick or dead birds and instead contact the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888) for trained professionals to safely handle the situation.