H5 Bird Flu
Informative Videos News Articles H5N1 Documents Lists - Birds and Vets
Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson said “We do know from the overseas experience that once the virus becomes more widespread in wild bird populations, it will not be possible to avoid losses in susceptible wildlife in the natural environment".
BREAKING NEWS
As at 1pm AEST, 10th August : - There are 231 confirmed cases of H5N1 in Australia – 10 WA, 163 SA, 4 NSW, 1 QLD, 53 Vic with more suspected still to be confirmed.
(Keep checking the links to important sites and the updated news TAB)
9th August Bird Observers Network SA - The partnership between the SA government, Conservation Council SA, Birds SA and Birdlife Australia trains volunteers to identify and report sick birds that may be showing signs associated with H5 bird flu.
8th August Emma and Lynn both made 1800 calls to report dead birds by MOPs. Biosecurity Vet returns your initial call and requests photos to their mobile number they called on. Advised currently we are low priority compared to coastal bird deaths and pickup of bodies likely to be within 24hrs. To reduce duplicate calls from MOP, the bird is cordoned off by broken branches in a circle to make it obvious it has been noted.
6th August A suspected case in a baby seal showing symptoms of H5N1 and the first magpie, both in VIC.
5th August Government releases a risk factor list of Australian native birds and animals. (Read or download the list on the documents page).
3rd August SA now officially has its first mass mortality event from H5N1
2nd August SA has discovered 49 dead and 35 sick greater crested terns off Cape Jaffa. CSIRO has been sent the results for confirmation that the cause is H5N1.
31st July first confirmed case in a common seagull.
30th July Victoria records its first case of Bird Flu. Read the article on the news page.
29th July The 7 cases in SA have now been confirmed as the highly contagious strain of H5N1, which also confirms Australia's first "cluster" of birds found. Another 11 suspected cases have been sent to CSIRO for testing. Unfortunately, Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island is a site with confirmed cases, and as the name suggests, is home to South Australia's vulnerable sea lions. All beach tours on Kangaroo Island are suspended to try and stop any spread. This could result in Australia's first case of transmission to a mammal, as has occured overseas. Read more on the News Articles page.
27th July, 7 suspected cases of bird flu in native birds found in South Australia, which will make it the first cluster discovered. Read the article on the news page.
25th July, H5 bird flu confirmed in a wild seabird found at Moreton Island. The dead petrel found by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) has been confirmed positive for H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in laboratory tests by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.
24th July, Queensland has its first case of Bird Flu in a dead seabird found on Moreton Island. Initial tests have confirmed a positive result for the deadly virus. Samples have now gone to CSIRO to conduct secondary tests to confirm whether it is the strain of H5N1.
Avoid – Record – Report
Do Not Touch SICK or DEAD Seabirds, Waterbirds or Raptors.
Ph 1800 675 888
There are different strains of H5 Bird Flu, meaning a bird may test positive initially when the State carries out blood tests on a bird showing signs of sickness. The States send their samples to the National CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) where they are tested for the specific strain of H5 Bird Flu. The H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza, also known as H5N1. Bird flu can only be confirmed through laboratory testing. Samples must be collected by a veterinarian or government animal health officer.
As we navigate the growing concerns surrounding the spread of H5N1 Bird Flu in Australia, it is essential to understand the potential impact on our unique wildlife. Australia is home to a vast array of unique species. What will their resilience be? Our beloved koalas, platypuses, echidnas, kangaroos, wallabies, Tasmanian devils, quolls, dingoes, and rakali. The implications of H5N1, which has already affected 598 bird species and 102 mammal species worldwide, could be alarming for these iconic animals. Mammals and birds that scavenge are at a higher risk due to their potential consumption of infected carcasses.
Despite their arboreal nature and diet, koalas are not immune to the influence of birds or potential contact with infected animals who may share the trees they eat and sleep in. Given their already compromised immune systems due to the koala retrovirus, the introduction of H5N1 could have devastating consequences.
At this point in time, 30th July 2026
- There is no evidence of any mass mortality. There is no evidence of infection in poultry or the wider agricultural industry. Poultry industry now on high alert after the native bird species infections, with relaxation on free-range classifications to allow housing of hens.
- The risk to human health remains low.
- Australia is well-prepared to respond quickly due to the advanced warning we've had with us being the last continent to find a case.
You can help to determine if H5 bird flu has spread. If you see multiple sick or dead birds or other animals,
- Do not touch them.
- Avoid contact.
- Record what you see via photos or a video.
- Record your location (e.g Google Maps pin drop).
- Report it to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia.
As a nationally notifiable animal disease, anyone who suspects an animal might be infected with bird flu has a legal responsibility to report it as soon as possible.
