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

More than 80 dead and dying greater crested terns have been spotted off the South Australian coast in what is a suspected H5N1 bird flu mass mortality event. Photograph: imageBROKER/David & Micha Sheldon/Getty Images/imageBROKER RF

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.