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First Australian mass bird mortality linked to H5 bird flu

scienceAug 1, 202614158

Helicopter surveys off South Australia’s southeast coast found 49 dead greater crested terns on Baudin Rocks near Robe and 35 more sick birds, a total of more than 80 dead and ill birds suspected to be the first mass mortality event from H5N1 since the virus arrived in Australia six weeks earlier. South Australia has collected some birds for testing and reported three other suspected positive crested terns, including one at Monarto inland near several poultry farms. Authorities also reported additional suspected positives among silver gulls, adding to a silver gull confirmed positive by the CSIRO earlier in the week. Victoria confirmed its first H5 detection in a greater crested tern found in Portland and sent samples from five crested terns to the CSIRO laboratory in Geelong for testing. Five confirmed cases at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island raised concern for endangered Australian sea lions after global mortality in seals from the virus. South Australia’s chief veterinarian Skye Freuan said surveillance is working but that there is nothing authorities can do to stop the spread, while BirdLife Australia chief executive Kate Millar called the event a very significant escalation and the Invasive Species Council’s Jack Gough warned the outbreak appears to be mirroring rapid South American spread.

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