Australian records first case of H5 bird flu

THE deadly H5 bird flu has been detected in Australia, the Australian Government confirmed on 20 June, 2026.

A detection of H5 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) was confirmed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in a single brown skua (migratory seabird) in an isolated area in southern Western Australia.

This is the strain of concern that has been circulating globally and the detection, near Esperance, was the first in Australia.

The H5 strain of bird flu has killed millions of birds and thousands of marine mammals since it began spreading across the globe in 2021.

The wild bird was found sick on 14 June 2026.

The ACDP was earlier this week also testing samples taken from a sick giant petrel from the same region that returned a suspected positive result at a Western Australian government lab.

These species are migratory seabirds that occasionally visit southern Australia.

At this time there have been no detections in chickens and the disease is considered low risk to humans.

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is supporting the response, where the key priority is to determine the extent of infection in Australia’s wildlife.

The disease is classed as panzootic as it exists on multiple continents and affects many species.

Some reports estimate H5 bird flu has killed millions of birds and thousands of marine mammals since it began spreading across the globe in 2021.

The Australian Government says it is well-prepared to respond to H5 bird flu and has well-established national response arrangements in place to respond to animal disease incidents.

The community is encouraged to report any dead or sick birds or animals showing  signs of bird flu.

If you see multiple sick or dead birds or other animals, do not touch them.

Avoid contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia.