The disease can devastate wildlife and result in the euthanasia of millions of poultry. But the people are still the best line of defence.

The highly contagious H5 bird flu virus has started spreading locally among wild birds in Australia, the nation's chief veterinary officer says.

The highly contagious H5 bird flu virus has started spreading locally among wild birds in Australia, the nation’s chief veterinary officer said on July 29.

Victoria has detected its first case of the deadly new strain of bird flu.