Bird flu could wipe out Australian black swans, gene study reveals
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Loading... - Leon Muller
- 25 Jan 2023
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The graceful black swan is a familiar sight in waterways across Australia, but it could disappear if avian flu ever takes hold here.
That's the grim conclusion of an international study that has sequenced the iconic bird's genome — and that of its white cousin — for the first time.
Key points:
- 1. Scientists sequenced the genome of the Australian black swan and the mute swan
- 2. The study reveals the black swan lacks immune genes found in other swans and wild birds
- 3. The finding suggests it would be in extreme peril if highly pathogenic forms of bird flu emerged in Australia
"Black swans have a similar genetic basis [to mute swans], but there are distinct differences," said Kirsty Short, study co-author and virologist at the University of Queensland.
The study, published today in the journal Genome Biology, found Australian black swans (Cygnus atratus) lack some immune genes that combat viral infections found in other species of swans and waterfowl.
"What it tells us is that if avian flu ever got into Australia, black swans would be really, really vulnerable," Dr Short said.
"And that's a really scary proposition because ... this virus is going gangbusters [overseas]."
She said the finding highlighted the ongoing need to deal with global outbreaks as well as the importance of surveillance and biosecurity. Read More…
