First bird flu mass deaths confirmed in Australia

The first mass mortality event in Australia's bird flu outbreak has been confirmed, prompting authorities to warn of a "long, difficult journey" ahead. A group of dead and sick greater crested terns in South Australia have tested positive for the deadly strain with 54 dead birds across the state, taking the national tally of current cases to 74. "Sadly, we do know that once H5 bird flu is spreading in wildlife and the natural environment, it is not possible to avoid significant losses," Agriculture Minister Julie Collins told reporters in Canberra on Monday. There was no evidence of the virus having yet spread to poultry or agriculture but Ms Collins did not rule out the inevitability of its spread. "You do tend to see spillover impacts across the globe when it comes to the H5 (bird flu)."