More than 1,000 birds found dead in three mass mortality events amid ‘significant’ H5 escalation in Australia
Australian authorities have reported a significant escalation in H5 bird flu after discovering over 1,000 dead seabirds in mass mortality events. While no cases have been found in livestock, officials are investigating potential impacts on endangered species and local wildlife colonies.
Why it matters
The spread of H5 bird flu in wildlife poses a potential threat to biodiversity and raises concerns about the risk of transmission to domestic animals.
A dead greater crested tern at Pelican Point in South Australia. Photograph: Veronica Miller A dead greater crested tern at Pelican Point in South Australia. Photograph: Veronica Miller Bird flu More than 1,000 birds found dead in three mass mortality events amid ‘significant’ H5 escalation in Australia South Australian premier Peter Malinauskas says there have still been no detections in poultry or livestock and no mass deaths involving mammals
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Prefer the Guardian on Google The South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas , has declared a “significant escalation” in H5 bird flu in the state after the detection of three mass mortality events involving more than 1,000 greater crested terns.
Malinauskas said the cause of the deaths was presumed to be H5 bird flu.
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