South Australia investigates mass tern deaths amid suspected H5 bird flu
Canberra, Aug 1
South Australian state authorities are investigating a mass bird mortality event after more than 80 dead and sick greater crested terns were found on an island off the state's southeast coast.
Testing is underway to determine whether the birds were infected with the H5 strain of avian influenza, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) reported on Saturday.
State aerial surveillance on Friday detected 49 dead and 35 sick greater crested terns on Baudin Rocks, about five km south of Cape Jaffa, the ABC reported.
The state's Chief Veterinary Officer Skye Fruean said it was "very unlikely" the birds would test negative for H5, although laboratory results were still pending.
The state of South Australia has now recorded 39 of Australia's 53 confirmed H5 bird flu cases, according to official updates, Xinhua news agency reported. Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson said the risk to agriculture and humans remained low.
On Friday, an expert had warned that a growing outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza in South Australia will "almost certainly" spread to an endangered species of sea lion.
Authorities in SA reported that Australia's first suspected case of the highly pathogenic strain in a seagull has been detected on the state's southeast coast.
One of the Kangaroo Island cases was detected at Seal Bay, which is home to about five per cent of the global population of the endangered Australian sea lion.
Wayne Boardman, a wildlife veterinarian from the University of Adelaide, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation on Friday that historical events in South America have shown that sea lions and fur seals are particularly susceptible to the strain.
"The issue now with bird flu being found on Seal Bay is that it's almost certainly going to go from the birds into the sea lions," he said.
The H5N1 strain killed an estimated 30,000 sea lions in South America within six months in 2022 and killed an estimated 13,359 southern elephant seal pups on Australia's Heard Island in the Southern Ocean between August 2025 and January 2026.
The SA government on Wednesday announced that beach tours on Seal Bay would be temporarily suspended to protect local sea lion and seal populations.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins told reporters on Friday that the government would continue working with experts to contain the spread of the strain. She said there has been no evidence of the virus in agricultural or poultry systems and the threat to human health remains low.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Sad to see the beautiful crested terns dying like this. I remember visiting Kangaroo Island years ago and seeing such amazing wildlife. The Australian sea lion is so unique! I hope the authorities there manage to get this under control before it spreads further. Meanwhile, we in India should also be vigilant - migratory birds know no borders. 🙏
This is what happens when we don't take climate change and wildlife habitat destruction seriously. The virus is jumping between species! First it was birds, now it's threatening sea lions. Scientists need to really study this H5N1 strain properly. Lesson for India too - we have so many wetlands and coastal areas with birds. Better prepare our wildlife departments now.
The 30,000 sea lion deaths in South America is heartbreaking. And this is happening while they say risk to humans is low - but what about the animals? The Australian authorities should perhaps consider vaccinating or taking proactive measures for the sea lion colonies, though I know it's complicated in the wild. This pandemic of the animal world shows how interconnected we all are 🌍
Good decision to suspend beach tours at Seal Bay. But I wonder if that's enough? The birds can fly anywhere, sea lions swim everywhere. Australian wildlife authorities need to be smarter - monitor water bodies, restrict human movement near colonies, maybe even disinfect boats and equipment. We in India have seen how avian flu can affect poultry farms - proper culling and bio-security is key.
Wait - so Australia has 53 confirmed cases of H5 and most are in South
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