FACT CHECK: Australia Has Not Mandated ‘Food Rations’ in Response to Bird Flu Pandemic

A post shared on X claims Australia has mandated “food rations” in preparation for a bird flu pandemic.

Prison for the Pandemic Planners. pic.twitter.com/Mww0WBcIEv

— Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) June 17, 2024

Verdict: False

There is no evidence for this claim. It was originally posted by a site that is known for spreading misinformation.

Fact Check:

A former director for the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control has predicted that a bird flu pandemic will arise at some point in the future, according to The Hill. He added that bird flu has a significantly higher mortality rate than COVID-19, estimating “somewhere between 25 and 50 percent mortality,” the outlet reported.

A post claims Australia has imposed food rations due in preparations for a bird flu pandemic. “Australia Mandates ‘Food Rations’ To Prepare for Bird Flu Pandemic,” the image’s text reads, showing an image of Bill Gates with reddened eyes while the background appears to show a truck dumping bird carcasses. (RELATED: No, 194 Who Member Countries Have Not Agreed To Arrest Citizens Who Oppose The Bird Flu Vaccine)

The post is inaccurate, however. The claim stems from an article by The People’s Voice, which is a fake news website that used to go by the name “NewsPunch,” according to FactCheck.org. The site has a “Terms of Use” page that indicates it “makes no representations about the suitability, reliability, availability, timeliness, and accuracy of the information, software, products, services and related graphics contained on the site for any purpose.”

There are no credible news reports to corroborate the claim. “Avian influenza (bird flu) is not a food safety concern and it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked chicken meat, eggs and egg products,” reads a June 14 media statement from Food Standards Australia New Zealand. “There is no evidence to show the virus can be transmitted to people through properly prepared food.”