South Australian authorities are investigating a suspected bird flu mass mortality event after over 80 sick and dying birds were spotted on an island on the state's southeast coast. South Australia's Department of Primary Industries is investigating a report of 49 dead and 35 sick greater crested terns which were seen at Baudin Rocks off Cape Jaffa. Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementIf confirmed, it would mark the first mass mortality event since bird flu was detected in Australia six weeks ago. Of the 53 cases in Australia since the H5 outbreak, 39 have been recorded in South Australia. "But the likely first mass mortality coming just days after the virus was declared not eradicable indicates how quickly this could escalate.