South Australia has identified seven new suspected cases of H5 bird flu in greater crested terns along the state's Limestone Coast, authorities said on Sunday, as the nation's first suspected local transmission of the virus emerged.
The suspected infections were found at Cape Jaffa, Southend Jetty near Beachport, and Port MacDonnell, with samples sent to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmatory testing. If confirmed by CSIRO, South Australia's total cases would reach 14, bringing the national tally to 27. Authorities on Kangaroo Island have suspended beach tours following four additional suspected cases there.
The federal government said no mass bird mortalities have occurred and the risk to human health remains low. The outbreak was first detected on mainland Australia in mid-June, with the first positive case found in a brown skua.