CANBERRA, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- Australia's first H5N1 bird flu mass mortality event has been confirmed in a flock of greater crested terns that were found on an island off the coast of South Australia (SA), authorities said on Monday.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins and Environment and Water Minister Murray Watt told reporters that the terns have tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza.
The flock of 49 dead and 35 sick birds was located by aerial surveillance on a small island about 5 km off SA's southeast coast on Friday amid a spike in H5N1 cases in the state.
Collins said on Monday that the mass mortality event was expected after the strain was first detected on the mainland for the first time in mid-June.
"Sadly, we do know that once the H5 bird flu is spreading in wildlife and the natural environment, it is not possible to avoid significant losses, which is what we are starting to see now," she said.
"Australians should expect to see more spread and larger numbers now of wildlife being affected."
The federal government committed 113 million Australian dollars (79.5 million U.S. dollars) in funding for H5N1 outbreak surveillance, response and preparedness measures prior to the strain arriving on the mainland.
Watt said on Monday that a national management plan for the strain has been activated, releasing an additional 24 million Australian dollars (16.9 million U.S. dollars) in funding. ■