Seven suspected new bird flu cases are ‘evidence of spread’ into Australian wildlife, experts warn

Greater crested terns nest in large colonies, making them particularly vulnerable to bird flu. Seven new suspected cases have been detected in South Australia. Photograph: David & Micha Sheldon/Getty Images/imageBROKER

South Australia has reported seven new suspected cases of deadly H5 bird flu, with experts warning it could be a sign the disease has begun spreading through local bird populations.

All seven birds are greater crested terns – a common local seabird – and were found on the Limestone Coast in south-eastern SA, with one found at Cape Jaffa, five around Southend Jetty near Beachport and one at Port MacDonnell, just over 20km from the Victorian border.