Australia Confirms First 'Mass Mortality' Event From H5 Bird Flu in Native Seabirds
CSIRO confirmed the first mass bird mortality from H5 in Australia as officials warned the outbreak could worsen with 74 cases recorded nationwide.
- South Australian authorities are investigating a mass mortality event at Baudin Rocks Island after over 80 dead and sick birds were found on Friday, with Agriculture Minister Julie Collins confirming the greater crested terns tested positive for H5 bird flu.
- Birdlife Australia senior advisor Sean Dooley noted the country has entered the "next phase" of the outbreak, as the virus now spreads between native silver gulls and greater crested terns for the first time.
- A total of 74 cases of H5 bird flu have been recorded across Australia, with 54 in South Australia including 40 confirmed, while Federal Health Minister Mark Butler confirmed no detections in poultry or livestock.
- Citizen scientists Johanna Williams and Susan Belperio, who monitored Glenelg Beach since last year's algal bloom, expressed deep distress, with Williams saying, "Seeing dying and suffering birds has been quite distressing."
- Federal Health Minister Mark Butler stated the government is "very well prepared to manage the impact," having engaged in "significant talks" with the poultry industry to mitigate potential spread.
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Australians should be prepared to witness wider transmission and more wildlife affected, minister Julia Collins said.
With 74 cases, bird flu has now also been officially confirmed in Australia, the last continent where the virus had not yet caused high mortality...
Australia has recorded its first mass death from H5N1 bird flu. 49 dead and 35 sick seabirds were found off the coast of Cape Jaffa, and authorities have warned that the virus could spread more widely in wildlife, potentially leading to further losses.
Australia has confirmed its first mass death of wild animals from the H5 avian influenza virus, after a large number of great hornbill terns died on an island off the coast of South Australia. Warnings have been issued that the virus could spread to a wider range of wild animals.
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