H5N1 avian flu is moving through Australian bird populations following large numbers of bird deaths recorded 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 tourist site.
Mass vaccination of little penguins has commenced in an effort to combat the spread. Authorities are investigating what happens next when hundreds of animals succumb to bird flu during an outbreak. Teams are striving to contain the threat and protect native bird species.