The detection of H5 in a red fox in metropolitan Adelaide in late August marked the first time the disease was detected in a land mammal in Australia. This was followed by authorities in Victoria confirming the death of a fox at Torquay, south-west of Melbourne, was due to bird flu.
While authorities are not concerned about foxes spreading the disease, there is a threat of them moving infected carcasses around, particularly in urban areas.
Australia’s estimated 1.7 million foxes are found in densities up to three times higher in urban zones.
The fact there there are foxes and other scavengers in every city in the world suggests that people do need to be reminded of that.