Lead

South Australian authorities are investigating a mass bird mortality event after more than 80 dead and sick greater crested terns were found on an island off the state's south-east coast. The birds were discovered on Baudin Rocks, about five kilometres south of Cape Jaffa, on Friday, and are undergoing testing for H5 bird flu in Adelaide.

State aerial surveillance detected 49 dead and 35 sick greater crested terns on the island, according to ABC Australia. The birds are not yet being considered suspected cases while laboratory testing is completed.

"We do need to wait for the lab testing but given it is an island that has a large number of crested terns and a large number of sick and dead crested terns, we are of course expecting that we would get some bad news from that situation in the coming days," SA Chief Veterinary Officer Skye Fruean said.

Coverage comparison

ABC Australia's reporting has focused on two main aspects: the emotional impact on citizen scientists who have been monitoring bird health along Glenelg Beach, and the official response to the mass mortality event. The broadcaster has emphasised that finding sick birds since H5 bird flu arrived in Australia has been particularly distressing for volunteers who have been witnessing dead birds wash up since the state's harmful algal bloom began.

Citizen scientist Johanna Williams described the experience as distressing, saying "Seeing dying and suffering birds has been quite distressing, so is the idea of the anticipation of what might happen." Susan Belperio, another volunteer, said she recently found a dead silver gull on Glenelg Beach which was one of several suspected H5 cases announced by the Department of Primary Industries and Regions. "We really shudder to think what might lie ahead in the way of potential mass mortalities of birds on this very beach," she said.

Authorities, meanwhile, have adopted a cautious tone, emphasizing that laboratory results are needed before conclusions can be drawn. The testing is expected to take several days.

Key claims

The following claims have been reported by ABC Australia:

  • More than 80 dead and sick birds (49 dead and 35 sick greater crested terns, according to aerial surveillance) were found on Baudin Rocks, about five kilometres south of Cape Jaffa.
  • The birds are being tested for H5 bird flu, and results are expected in the coming days.
  • Twenty previously suspected cases of H5 bird flu have been confirmed, bringing the total number of confirmed cases in South Australia to 39.
  • Australia currently has 54 confirmed cases of H5, with 40 in South Australia, 10 in Western Australia, 2 in New South Wales, 1 in Queensland, and 1 in Victoria.
  • Citizen scientists found dead birds during South Australia's harmful algal bloom, and the arrival of H5 bird flu has added to their concerns.
  • Local transmission of H5 bird flu occurred for the first time earlier this week between a number of greater crested terns in South Australia.

Context

The discovery at Baudin Rocks comes amid an ongoing H5 bird flu event in Australia. According to ABC Australia, the country has recorded 54 confirmed cases of H5, with South Australia accounting for the majority. The state's chief veterinary officer has indicated that given the large number of sick and dead terns on the island, authorities expect further confirmation of the virus.

The mass mortality event is separate from the harmful algal bloom that has affected South Australian beaches, though both have contributed to bird deaths in the region. Citizen scientists have been monitoring the situation closely, reporting suspected cases to authorities.