Avian Flu Crisis Hits Australia's Wildlife | Adelaide News

Adelaide News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 22, 2026 · 1m

Australia’s facing a devastating avian flu outbreak, H5N1, causing mass bird die-offs—over a thousand terns in one South Australian event—with federal officials warning this is just the start. Beyond the tragedy, the ecological fallout is severe: decaying carcasses disrupt food webs and attract scavengers that may spread the virus further. While scavengers could help clean up, overwhelmed populations might worsen transmission. Experts urgently call for research into how different species interact with the virus—and what role they play in containing or accelerating its spread. Listen in…