Tasmania is bracing for the inevitable arrival of the deadly H5 bird flu strain, which has spread across mainland Australia, causing mass mortalities in wild birds. Authorities are preparing for its impact on wildlife, poultry farms, and Aboriginal cultural practices, urging public reporting of sick birds.
H5 bird flu has caused the first mass mortality of Australian wildlife in greater crested terns off South Australia. With 74 confirmed cases across multiple states, federal ministers expect further spread in wildlife, activating a national management plan and increased biosecurity efforts.
Citizen scientists in South Australia report increased distress over sick and dying birds, including a mass mortality event of 80 birds near Cape Jaffa, as H5 bird flu spreads among native species. Authorities are investigating, with results expected soon, and the federal government is in talks with the poultry industry.
South Australian authorities are investigating a mass bird mortality event involving over 80 dead and sick greater crested terns off the south-east coast, with H5 bird flu testing underway. This follows 39 confirmed H5 cases in SA, including the first seagull detection in Australia, raising concerns about localized spread.
Two greater crested terns found dead on South Australian beaches (near Robe and Semaphore) have tested positive for the H5 bird flu strain, marking the first confirmed cases on a SA metropolitan beach. National tally now includes 7 in SA, 10 in WA, 2 in NSW, and 1 in QLD.
Telstra CEO Vicki Brady apologized for a national outage caused by a software fault affecting trains, transactions, and emergency calls. In sports, France advanced to the World Cup semi-finals. Australian politics features a Labor mayor's push for pokies reform.
A greater crested tern found on the South Australian coast has tested positive for the deadly H5 bird flu, marking the first case in local wildlife. The discovery at Robe is concerning but expected, with authorities conducting surveillance for further spread.
H5N1 bird flu has been detected in Western Australia for the first time, with a dead brown skua found in Cape Le Grand national park. While the risk to humans is low, authorities are monitoring the situation closely. The virus has previously spread globally and rarely infects humans.
Australia has confirmed its first mainland case of the deadly H5 strain of bird flu in a migratory sea bird found in Western Australia. The detection means the highly contagious variant is now present on every continent, though authorities state there is no evidence of mass mortalities or poultry infection yet.
