More than 80 dead and sick birds discovered on Baudin Rocks off the South Australian coast are suspected by authorities to be the first mass mortality event from the H5N1 bird flu virus, occurring just six weeks after the pathogen’s arrival in the country, according to government reports released on Saturday.
Helicopter Surveillance Reveals Terns Impacted Near Robe
Aerial monitoring conducted via helicopter confirmed 49 dead greater crested terns alongside 35 sick birds of the same species on Baudin Rocks, located near the town of Robe. South Australia’s chief vet, Skye Freuan, stated that officials collected several specimens for laboratory testing, pointing to the incident as the likely first mass mortality event linked to the virus locally.
Complementing the offshore findings, state authorities recorded three additional suspected positive cases in greater crested terns inland at Monarto. This specific region houses multiple commercial poultry farms, heightening biosecurity concerns as the virus migrates away coastal zones. Furthermore, three silver gulls are under suspicion, expanding upon an initial silver gull case confirmed positive earlier on Saturday by the CSIRO.
Experts Warn of Rapid Spread and Vector Risks
Jack Gough, chief executive of the Invasive Species Council, stated that the virus appears to be “starting to take off” and is “mirroring the experience in South America of early detections, then rapid increases in numbers and spread leading to mass mortality events in wildlife.” Gough noted that while the spread remains in its early stages, the potential mass mortality follows closely behind declarations that the virus can no longer be eradicated.
Did you know? Australia was the final continent to record an incursion of the H5N1 strain, which has previously caused the deaths of millions of wild birds and mammals across the globe.
According to Skye Freuan, there is “nothing we can do” to halt the transmission among wild populations, though active surveillance operations remain operational. Total confirmed and suspected cases across the jurisdiction climbed by 20 over a matter of days, reaching a combined tally of 53.
Interstate Spread and Vulnerable Native Species
Victoria officially joined Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland this week by confirming its first H5N1 case in a greater crested tern in Portland. Victorian officials sent five additional crested tern samples to the CSIRO laboratory in Geelong for preliminary testing on Saturday.
An additional five confirmed cases in birds at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island amplified conservation concerns regarding local Australian sea lions, an endangered marine mammal. Tens of thousands of seals have succumbed to the virus internationally.
However, Sean Dooley, national affairs adviser at BirdLife Australia, pointed to silver gulls as a critical turning point in the outbreak. “When people think of a seagull, they’re almost always thinking of the silver gull,” Dooley said, explaining that their scavenging habits around carcasses and water bodies make them prime vectors to carry the disease inland and into urban habitats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is H5N1 bird flu?
H5N1 is a highly virulent strain of avian influenza that has affected millions of birds and various mammal species worldwide since arriving on the final continent.
Which Australian states have recorded positive cases?
Positive cases have been documented in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.
Why are silver gulls a major concern for experts?
According to BirdLife Australia national affairs adviser Sean Dooley, silver gulls scavenge from dead animals and frequent water bodies, giving them high potential to act as vectors that spread the virus inland and into urban areas.
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