Sea bird sick with H5 avian flu landed by bodyboarders, too weak to fly to shore

A giant petrel found near a beach in South Australia became the first bird in the region to test positive for the H5N1 bird flu strain. A bodyboarder noticed the bird appeared weak and unable to fly, prompting wildlife rescuers to retrieve it. This discovery is significant as H5N1 poses a threat to both wildlife and potentially human health if it spreads further. It underscores the importance of monitoring avian health closely, especially in areas frequented by humans.