H5N1 avian flu is moving through Australian bird populations with mass animal deaths recorded across affected areas. A little penguin on King Island has contracted the contagion. Suspected cases of the infection have recently surfaced at a South Australian tourist site.
Mass vaccination of little penguins has started in an effort to combat the spread. Authorities are investigating what happens next when hundreds of animals perish from bird flu during an infection wave. Teams are moving quickly to manage the situation and safeguard local wildlife.