Researchers have identified a potential way to monitor the transmission of a deadly strain of bird flu. 

Australia is the only continent to not have any known cases of the H5-N1 strain of the disease but experts warn that is likely to change.

They've been looking at ways the transmission pathways the strain.

Rural Editor Emily Minney spoke with University of New South Wales researcher Simon Gorta about the concerns of food theft among seabirds playing a role.