Australia's first mass bird flu die-off confirmed as H5N1 reaches southern coast

CSIRO confirmed H5N1 — a highly pathogenic bird flu strain — in five greater crested terns and a silver gull at South Australia's Baudin Rocks. About 50 birds died; 30 are sick. Australia was the last continent free of H5N1 before its first mainland case in June 2026. Environment Minister Murray Watt called this "the beginning" of a prolonged wildlife crisis, noting wild bird movement cannot be stopped.