This Month
US issues order mandating bird flu testing of milk supply
The virus has infected more than 500 dairy herds in top milk state California, and more than 700 nationwide since March.
- Leah Douglas
October
US-style CDC to co-ordinate response, combat fake news
A new agency will be charged with preparing against infectious disease, after a review found a lack of real-time data reduced trusts in pandemic restrictions.
- Tom Burton
- Analysis
- COVID inquiry
We should never see such an old-school pandemic response again
At the next pandemic, Australia should focus on key risk groups and be driven by reliable official public data.
- Tom Burton
‘Nothing is stopping it’: spring fears for avian flu on the move
Authorities are on red alert for any springtime outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu, as an army of citizen scientists look for early signs of the virus.
- Tom Burton
August
- Exclusive
- Agriculture
Farmers cottoning on to threat to $4.2b industry
Cotton exports have nearly doubled recently but an increased threat from diseases has threatened to wipe-out crops.
- James Hall
July
CSL wins global avian flu vaccine contracts
Australian pharmaceutical giant CSL is to supply up to 45 million shots of its avian flu vaccine to Europe and the US as health authorities prepare for possible human infection from the dangerous H5 strain.
- Tom Burton
- Exclusive
- Funding
Woolies, Harris Farm, Tesla chair, pile in to back biosecurity start-up
ExoFlare has plans to build a global biosecurity tech firm, modelled on international cybersecurity players, and has big-name backers watching as it helps tackle bird flu.
- Paul Smith
- Exclusive
- Flu season
Avian flu surveillance to be upped amid fears of spring outbreaks
A $7 million package of federal initiatives is to be rolled out to prepare for possible outbreaks of the highly dangerous H5N1 avian flu strain
- Tom Burton
June
Consumers urged against panic-buying after Coles imposes egg limit
One supermarket giant is limiting customers to two cartons of eggs after an outbreak of bird flu in Victoria worsened.
- Gus McCubbing
May
US restricts some Australian poultry imports due to bird flu concerns
New restrictions on Victorian poultry and poultry by-products entering the United States will have limited impact on the local industry, a peak group says.
- Updated
- Rachael Ward
Bird flu on the march, experts warn
More than 400,000 chickens were slaughtered in Victoria this week and experts say Australia will be lucky to avoid the more virulent version of avian flu.
- Tom Burton
Bird flu fears put health authorities, farmers on edge
Two unrelated cases of the potentially deadly virus have been detected in Victoria.
- Andrew Tillett
April
Avian flu outbreak in US cows tracked by Australian officials
The CDC says this is a developing situation and so far, a person in Texas who had direct contact with dairy cattle, has tested positive for H5N1 bird flu.
- Jill Margo
May 2023
Farmers hit with new biosecurity tax
Growers say the budget does nothing to ease runaway food price inflation.
- Brad Thompson
September 2022
Biosecurity bolter in China food security talks after Qube deal
A biosecurity start-up is in talks with China about protecting its strategic grain reserve after signing a breakthrough deal with logistics giant Qube.
- Brad Thompson
July 2022
‘Playing with a loaded gun’: Dutton backs border closure
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Nationals leader David Littleproud have signalled support for a border closure to Indonesia over foot and mouth disease.
- Updated
- Georgie Moore
Biosecurity delays fuel importers’ costs
Biosecurity checks of goods shipped into Australia are taking up to a month to complete as inspectors struggle with staff shortages and new disease outbreaks.
- Jenny Wiggins
April 2022
Ellume deal could open door to US investment: president hopeful
A potential US presidential candidate has praised Australia’s diagnostic manufacturing company Ellume in its efforts to help US national security.
- Matthew Cranston
February 2021
China trade war to cost farmers $36.9b this decade
Farmers have put investment in long-term agricultural trade strategy at the top of their federal budget wish list.
- Brad Thompson
October 2020
Virus can persist for four weeks on banknotes, Australian study finds
Scientists have shown SARS-CoV-2 is 'extremely robust' on smooth surfaces such as mobile screens and plastic banknotes at room temperature.
- Jason Gale
