Mass bird deaths have been detected in a second Australian state, Victoria, in what is suspected to be an escalation of the spread of deadly H5 bird flu. This follows the confirmation of Australia's first mass mortality event at Baudin Rocks off South Australia's coast, as confirmed by CSIRO analysis.
Victorian authorities reported on Monday that aerial observations over the weekend identified a cluster of dead and sick greater crested terns in the Glenelg River estuary and across Lawrence Rocks. Samples from these birds have been sent for testing, and if positive, it would mark Australia's second confirmed mortality event from the disease.
Murray Watt, the environment minister, stated on Monday that Australia has begun "a long and difficult journey" regarding the impacts on wildlife. He added that more mass mortality events are likely due to the movement of wild birds and animals.
In South Australia, 18 new cases of H5 bird flu were confirmed by CSIRO on Monday, including the samples from six birds at Baudin Rocks. These new cases include detections in a petrel in the Coorong, an internationally significant wetland site, raising concerns about the disease spreading to waterbird populations.