Bird flu crisis will get to the stage where 'all we can do is euthanase', vets warn

Bird flu could result in mass euthanasia of savable wild birds, as vets warn of risk to mental health In short: Vets say without urgent government funding they could euthanase "hundreds" of savable wild birds that are not sick with avian influenza. The profession is already in the grips of a mental health crisis and vets say inaction could push them "over the edge". What's next? The federal government says support is available, but has not committed to financing vet facilities to treat wild birds. The vet industry has warned it may be forced to euthanase hoards of wild birds they could be saving due to a lack of funding and appropriate facilities amid the H5 bird flu crisis. The deadly virus has now been confirmed in every Australian state with only the Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory yet to detect it. To protect other animals including domestic pets, some vet practices have put a blanket ban on treating injured or sick wild birds, even if they have not displayed avian influenza symptoms. Those who are still taking in wild birds, like Mish Simpson's wildlife vet clinic in Adelaide's Onkaparinga Hills, have already experienced a spike. "Last year I think we had 140 birds through our clinic and I think in the last few weeks we've had 20 to 30 alone," she said. Ms Simpson said she was expecting to be inundated with "hundreds" of wild birds during the spring breeding season, as greater numbers will be "getting themselves in trouble" like being hit by cars or hurt in fires. She said conserving bird life has never been more crucial, to bolster populations at risk of serious decline from the deadly virus. "Birds that we see every day in high numbers may disappear … for more vulnerable species it could wipe out the entire population," Ms Simpson said. Unnecessary euthanasia 'devastating' To prepare, clinics like Ms Simpson's have created temporary, isolated surgeries and triage spaces, either at their own cost or by looking for donations. However, without help to keep up with demand, they fear they will be left with no choice but to euthanase animals they could have saved. "Unfortunately euthanasia may be the most logical outcome, even if it is an otherwise recoverable injury or if it's just a bird that needs short-term care," Ms Simpson said. "At some stage this situation will get to the point where everyone's at capacity and all we can do is euthanase to make sure the birds aren't suffering. "We want to hold off that stage for as long as possible because that's not going to be a fun time for anyone." The Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) is asking the federal government to commit to funding $7.5 million over four years to support vets responding to the bird flu crisis, but that call has so far gone unanswered. In the grips of a profession-wide mental health crisis, Ms Simpson said euthanasing savable wild birds would be "incredibly devastating", but she said there "hasn't been any government support". "The vet industry is in crisis … the government's aware of that and this is only going to push it over the edge," she said. "Vets that are already burnt out and have compassion fatigue are probably going to very early on in this process leave if there's not enough support for them." The federal Department of Agriculture did not provide a reason why it was not meeting the AVA's request for funding. It said the commonwealth is leading a collaborative response to the bird flu outbreak, working to minimise the impact on wildlife, livestock and human health, including mental health. Wildlife vet Dr Jackie Reed has been treating injured wild birds at Ms Simpson's clinic. She said some vets had already been forced to euthanase wild birds that could have been saved. "It's an awful situation to be in because you know you're not doing your best," Dr Reed said. "We need these isolation facilities, we need the PPE, there's so much money that needs to be spent on proper protection for humans and also for our patients." Bird flu tests the 'missing piece' Ms Simpson is also calling on the South Australian government to provide vets with H5 bird flu testing kits. Positive cases would be euthanased and reported, but negative results would allow vets to confidently clear high-risk species like seabirds for treatment, even those that are not showing bird flu symptoms. "It's the missing piece", Ms Simpson said. "We still want to be able to test them, to make sure we're not sending them on to carers or putting them in another area of our facility. "If they show to be positive in the days to come they've potentially exposed other birds. "It makes sense that our vets who are already assessing it in the appropriate PPE should just be able to test so that it saves work for everyone." In a statement, South Australia's Department of Primary Industries said due to national lab testing protocols, it had "no current plans" to roll out bird flu testing kits to wildlife vets. "PIRSA understands concerns raised by veterinary staff and is continuing to work closely with the sector … with regular updates through webinars, meetings and written advice," a department spokesperson said. Advocate Garry Putland is urging the federal government to heed the plea for help from vets. Mr Putland and his wife run Sophie's Legacy, a charity to reduce suicide rates in the veterinary profession, in honour of their daughter Sophie Putland who died by suicide in 2021. "We're really asking governments to acknowledge the significant work that is done by (vets)," he said. "To make sure that they are not increasing the pressures which will result in the mental health crisis worsening. "But actually funding the veterinary industry so that we're doing exactly the opposite, and that is setting the industry up to reduce the suicide rate."