Australia Warns of More Mass Bird Deaths as H5 Bird Flu Spreads

Australian authorities are bracing for further mass bird deaths following the confirmation of the country's first large-scale wildlife mortality event caused by the highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza virus, commonly known as bird flu. Officials have described the situation as the "beginning of a prolonged environmental crisis."

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This could be a long period of time and a very long journey.

The outbreak was first identified at Baudin Rocks, off Cape Jaffa in South Australia, where dozens of greater crested terns and silver gulls perished. This marks Australia's initial recorded mass mortality event linked to the H5 strain of bird flu. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins stated that the virus could impact Australia's wildlife for years, noting that other countries have been contending with the same strain since 2022.

Collins acknowledged that while Australia implemented extensive preparedness efforts to delay the virus's arrival, it proved impossible to halt the spread of such a highly contagious disease among wild birds. "We cannot stop a very virulent, very contagious disease in wild birds," she said, referencing the devastating impacts observed overseas, particularly widespread bird mortalities.

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We've certainly seen devastating impacts overseas, particularly mass bird mortalities. We cannot stop a very virulent, very contagious disease in wild birds.

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has confirmed 74 H5 bird flu cases nationwide, with detections reported in South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland. Environment Minister Murray Watt issued a stark warning, urging Australians to prepare for additional wildlife losses. He explained that Australia, being the last continent to record this H5 strain, had more time to prepare, but the virus's entry into migratory bird populations made further spread inevitable.

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I want to level with people: this is the beginning of what is likely to be a long, difficult journey in terms of the impacts on wildlife.

Aerial surveillance over Baudin Rocks initially detected approximately 50 dead birds and 30 showing signs of illness. Laboratory tests later confirmed H5 infection in several birds. Concerns have since expanded beyond South Australia, with another cluster of sick and dead greater crested terns identified in Victoria's Glenelg River estuary. Victorian authorities are awaiting laboratory confirmation, but initial observations strongly resemble the South Australian outbreak, potentially marking Australia's second documented mass mortality event linked to the virus.

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The reality is, you can't stop native and wild birds flying around, and you can't stop wild animals moving around. That will mean more mass mortality events like the one we have now seen.