Australia records first H5N1 mass mortality in seabirds 74 cases now confirmed across four states with no farm detections3 August 2026 3 August 2026 1 minute read 1 minute read By: By: Global Ag Media OceaniaAustralia warned on Monday against the risk of a wider spread of H5N1 bird flu after its first mass mortality episode among seabirds killed about 50 greater crested terns off the coast south of Adelaide, reported Reuters. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said testing confirmed H5N1 bird flu in a group of 49 dead and 35 sick terns found by helicopter surveillance on rocks off Cape Jaffa, 250 km (155 miles) from Adelaide on Friday. "This is the first confirmed case of a mass mortality," she added. Australia's tally of 74 confirmed cases is spread as wide as the states of Western Australia and Queensland, though most cases were in South Australia, Collins said. H5N1 bird flu can infect humans who have contact with infected animals.