On 20 June 2026, H5 bird flu was confirmed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) in single brown skua (migratory seabird) in Western Australia. This is the highly pathogenic strain of concern that has been circulating globally and it is the first detection in Australia.
The wild bird was found sick in an isolated area in southern Western?Australia on 14 June 2026. As of 20 June 2026, ACDP is also testing samples taken from a sick giant petrel from the same region that returned a suspect positive result at the Western Australian government lab. These species are migratory seabirds that occasionally visit southern Australia. Importantly, there are currently no cases in poultry and no evidence of mortalities in other species at this time.
Australia 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 Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has responded swiftly to the detection and is leading response activities on the ground. The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is supporting the response through national coordination. A key priority is to undertake surveillance to determine the extent of infection in wildlife.
The Australian Centre for Disease Control advises that H5 bird flu is a low health risk to the public as it rarely affects humans.
Food Standards Australia and New Zealand advise that bird flu is not a food safety risk for chicken meat and eggs if they are handled and cooked correctly. Further information can be found at: Australian Centre for Disease Control and Food Standards Australia New Zealand. |