First Australian mass mortality event suspected as deadly bird flu virus rapidly escalates among native birds

Helicopter surveillance finds dead and dying greater crested terns off South Australian coast as H5 virus spreads

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More than 80 dead and sick birds seen on rocks off the South Australian coast are suspected to be the first mass mortality event from the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus, only six weeks after the disease arrived in Australia.

Authorities reported on Saturday that helicopter surveillance had revealed 49 dead greater crested terns on Baudin Rocks, near Robe, as well as 35 more sick terns.