The discovery of H5 bird flu in Australia’s inland should be sparking “alarm bells” among authorities, as cases continue to spread rapidly across the country. Two greater crested terns tested positive for the strain in New South Wales for the deadly strain, including one found near Wentworth in the far southwest, more than 500km from the coast. “The speed at which this bird flu is spreading to new species and new locations is alarming,” he said. That should be ringing alarm bells for governments because it suggests it could soon be spreading among inland bird colonies ahead of spring breeding season.” Bird flu is yet to be detected in poultry or in the agricultural production systems.