Minister confirms first bird flu mass mortality in Australian wildlife
Australian authorities have confirmed the first mass mortality event in wildlife caused by H5 bird flu on an island off South Australia. While the virus has affected 78 cases across the country, officials state the risk to human health remains low.
Why it matters
The spread of H5 bird flu into native wildlife populations poses a significant ecological threat and requires ongoing biosecurity monitoring.
A large group of dead and sick greater crested terns have tested positive to H5 bird flu. ( Supplied: Matthew Fainman/ iNaturalist/Creative Commons )
Testing has confirmed the first mass mortality from H5 bird flu in Australian wildlife on an island off South Australia's south-east coast.
There are now 78 confirmed cases in Australia.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says Australians can expect to see greater disease spread, with larger numbers of wildlife impacted.
Link copied Share Share article The first mass mortality of Australian wildlife from the deadly H5 bird flu has been confirmed in greater crested terns found on an island off South Australia's south-east coast.
It follows testing of samples from dead and sick birds detected by aerial surveillance on an island called Baudin Rocks, about 5 kilometres south of Cape Jaffa in South Australia, on Friday.
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