00:02Along WA's southern coast, locals are on high alert over the deadly strain of avian influenza.
00:09We expect it, but absolutely dreading it.
00:12Busselton bird carer Sandy Gillard has taken it upon herself to help patrol for sick and dead birds.
00:18I visualise a really disastrous situation with lots of birds dead. It's going to happen.
00:26WA authorities say there's no evidence yet of any transmission of the disease from migratory birds to local wildlife.
00:33But conservation researcher Kiralee Hastings says the risk can't be ignored.
00:38This time of year we'll see them flocking or moving around a lot and that's easy for them to spread
00:44it amongst themselves.
00:45With the coastline as vast as WA's, the state's authorities are for the most part relying on the public to
00:50identify any possible cases.
00:52Another suspected positive case has been found near Esperance.
00:56It means two samples are now awaiting confirmation, along with the three already confirmed cases.
01:02Alright.
01:04Biosecurity and wildlife experts say authorities should be testing local animals and waterways in the areas where the cases were
01:11found.
01:11I'm sure that they're doing all of that, monitoring events around those known areas where the birds may arrive.
01:19But the state's agriculture minister says the situation doesn't warrant the additional testing just yet.
01:25We have seen absolutely no evidence of any spread of this disease.
01:29It is only single migratory birds that have been found on beaches.
01:33I don't really know how we're going to be able to reduce the spread of this virus once it gets
01:37in.
01:38Authorities are urging the public to continue reporting any sightings of dead or sick birds.
01:43The state does not report anything is, but then it will be not afraid of some Georgian landscape.
01:44The state says there is no doubt that seems to be an apparent state funding system.
01:45This manner of financial assistance makes no doubt that μποض comuniest units and warnings work.
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