Episode Details

Pigeons are set to take flight this weekend in Victoria, Australia, for a historic 100th-anniversary race covering 320 kilometers — raising funds for a local hospital — despite an ongoing bird flu outbreak. The government has granted a special exemption, allowing the racing club to bypass strict housing rules, but wildlife advocates warn it could accelerate virus spread, especially since the race begins in an area unaffected by H5 flu. While club officials say the birds are secure and pose minimal risk, critics argue that even low-risk pigeons can carry disease if lost or injured, and wild birds may still access their yards. Hundreds of birds have already died from suspected flu in the south-west, and while poultry farms with over 50 birds are quarantined, racing pigeons’ movements raise new concerns. The race proceeds as planned — a celebration of tradition and community, caught in the crosshairs of public health urgency.

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