# Australia suspects first mass mortality event as H5N1 bird flu spreads rapidly among native birds

https://mins.news/en/item/11686

- The Guardian, 2026-08-01 06:12 UTC
- Science
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/01/first-australian-mass-mortality-event-suspected-as-deadly-bird-flu-virus-rapidly-escalates-among-native-birds

> Helicopter surveillance has found dead and dying greater crested terns off South Australia’s coast. Authorities say 49 dead birds were recorded on Baudin Rocks near Robe, alongside 35 sick terns. The deaths are suspected to represent Australia’s first mass mortality event caused by the deadly H5N1 bird flu virus. The suspected outbreak has emerged just six weeks after the disease reached Australia, with infections escalating quickly among native birds.

## Related coverage

- [Australia warns H5N1 may spread after first mass mortality event](https://mins.news/en/item/12281) — Al Jazeera, 2026-08-03