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https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jul/27/h5-bird-flu-suspected-new-cases-south-australia>
"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.
BirdLife Australia’s chief executive, Kate Millar, said the discovery showed
the outbreak was “now taking hold and is evidence of spread”.
“If we were in a bushfire scenario, those subantarctic birds that arrived with
the disease initially were like the embers,” she said. “Now having it in
crested terns, that’s the smoke.
“Governments have been saying it hasn’t spread – this is evidence of spread.”
The development follows two other confirmed cases of the disease in greater
crested terns in South Australia at the weekend, including the first positive
detection in metropolitan Adelaide.
If the CSIRO verifies the seven suspected cases, it will take the total number
of cases in SA to 14 – 10 of those in local greater crested terns.
Of the five birds collected from Southend Jetty, four were sick and one was
dead. The birds found at Cape Jaffa and Port MacDonnell were also dead.
South Australia’s primary industries minister, Clare Scriven, told reporters on
Monday the development was concerning."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
