Bird flu hits Forster, pushing NSW total to 40 cases

Bird flu was confirmed in the coastal town of Forster, raising New South Wales' total to 40 laboratory‑confirmed cases. Health officials say the virus is spreading through wild ducks, making eradication difficult and prompting warnings that the disease may become endemic. In the Northern Territory, authorities began culling 5,500 feral pigs to reduce the risk of the virus jumping to livestock. Separate alerts were issued for Sydney's southern and eastern suburbs, where pet owners were advised to keep dogs and cats away from wild birds. The Illawarra and Shoalhaven regions also reported a fresh wave of infections, adding to concerns over a broader outbreak across the state.