H5N1 avian flu is spreading in Australian bird populations amid widespread wildlife fatalities noted across affected areas. A little penguin on King Island has been confirmed with the virus. Suspected cases of the infection have also emerged at a South Australian visitor location.
Mass vaccination of little penguins has begun in an effort to combat the outbreak. Authorities are looking into what happens next when hundreds of animals die from bird flu during an unfolding crisis. Teams are moving quickly to contain the threat and protect native bird species.