Australia has confirmed its first mass mortality event from H5 bird flu in native seabirds. The outbreak affected a crested tern colony living around Cape Jaffa in South Australia, Australia.
Samples collected from the Cape Jaffa area were analyzed and confirmed positive at Australia's national animal health laboratory.
Serious turning point
Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins described the development as a "serious turning point" and warned that further spread to more areas and higher numbers of wild animal deaths could be seen.
Dead and sick crested terns detected on offshore rocks south of Cape Jaffa, Australia.
A helicopter survey south of Cape Jaffa detected 49 dead and 35 sick crested terns on offshore rocks, totaling 84 affected birds.
Spread across Australia
H5 bird flu was first confirmed on mainland Australia on June 20, 2026, in a seabird found in Western Australia. Following that initial detection, the total number of H5 bird flu cases in Australia rose to 74.
Detections have since spread across the states of Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. There are currently no confirmed detections in commercial chicken farms, poultry production facilities, or the broader agricultural system in Australia.
Australian health and agriculture officials reported that the current risk of H5 bird flu to human health is low. The government allocated a preparation budget exceeding 113 million Australian dollars to prepare for the potential arrival of the virus.
