A second bird, a giant northern petrel, was found exhausted on an Esperance beach and unable to stand on Thursday. The Minister said samples from the petrel had also returned a suspected positive result.
''Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) has confirmed H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) in a brown skua in Western Australia.
This is the highly pathogenic strain of concern that has been circulating globally, and is the first detection in Australia.
Samples from a second bird, a giant petrel, have also tested positive for H5 avian influenza at the Western Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development’s laboratory.
These samples will now also undergo confirmatory testing at CSIRO’s ACDP.
A key priority is to undertake surveillance to determine the extent of the infection in wildlife.'' the issued press release states
The skua was found on a remote beach at the Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, around 700 kilometres south-east of Perth. The bird was isolated after it was found on Sunday June 14 and died that night.
This deadly strain of bird flu has killed millions of birds and mammals worldwide, in being confirmed in Australia, has now spread to every continent on the planet.
Australian Antarctic Program scientists finalise H5 bird flu findings from Heard Island and McDonald Island
The Australian Antarctic Division stated on March 14 2024 that monitoring bird and seal colonies in Antarctica had taken on a new urgency with the detection of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza on the continent for the first time.
The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) confirmed that two dead skuas found near the Argentinian Primavera station on the Antarctic Peninsula tested positive to the virus in late February 2024.
The day before, June 18 2026, the Australian Antarctic Division announced Australian Antarctic Program scientists are contributing to global understanding of the spread of H5 avian influenza (bird flu) with the release of findings from recent voyages to the remote sub-Antarctic Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
Samples from nine vertebrate species were tested at CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, with six species testing positive for the viral strain that has been spreading globally (Influenza A H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b).
These included southern elephant seal, king penguin, gentoo penguin, Antarctic fur seal and South Georgia diving petrel.
Analysis of drone surveys taken on two voyages in October 2025 and January 2026 reveal very high mortality in southern elephant seal pups and elevated mortality in king and gentoo penguins.
Analysis of data collected in October estimated average pup mortality was 76 per cent in the final surveys and as high as 97 per cent in one area.
Total pup production was estimated at around 17,000 and island-wide mortality was estimated at around 13,000 pups on Heard Island.
By January 2026, widespread elephant seal pup mortality was detected in all surveyed breeding areas, including evidence of mortality at McDonald Island (by drone survey).
However, due to the remoteness and protected status, no on-ground sampling was undertaken, meaning laboratory confirmation was not possible.
"These observations of H5 bird flu at Heard Island and McDonald Island are the first detection in an Australian external territory and show the continued eastward movement of the virus around the sub-Antarctic,” lead author wildlife biologist Dr Julie McInnes said.
“Our results show a similar pattern to other sub-Antarctic islands, such as South Georgia, where elephant seals have been hardest hit.
Data collected in January also revealed several hundred dead adult king penguins across the island. While this was a low proportion of the population, the observed mortality was above normal levels.
There was no sign of unusual mortality detected during surveys of albatross or the two endemic species – Heard Island shag and black-faced sheathbill.
However, data were collected over two short periods on Heard Island and it is unknown how the virus may have moved or impacted species since then.
The highest mortalities of all species were initially concentrated in the south-east of Heard island, which is thought to be where the virus first arrived.
Analysis of genetic data suggests H5 bird flu was likely introduced through movement of wildlife from the French sub-Antarctic Crozet Islands, 1,800 km away, with an estimated arrival around August 2025.
Elevated mortality was also encountered among king penguins (Photo: Gemma Woldendorp)
Drone surveys
Over the two expeditions, AAP scientists conducted 120 drone flights totalling more than 1,600 km of distance flown - and ground searches covering 300 km - to investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of mortality across species at Heard Island and McDonald Islands.
“Drones were essential to survey Heard Island’s coastline so we could accurately quantify mortality in breeding southern elephant seals,” co-lead author, wildlife biologist, Dr Jarrod Hodgson said.
“Long-distance flights from RSV Nuyina enabled us to survey inaccessible locations such as cliffs and offshore islands to assess the status of seabird populations like black-browed albatross and the endemic Heard Island shag.”
The use of drone technology also reduced the impact on animal populations.
“These drone surveys detected king penguin carcasses dispersed through their dense breeding colonies, which could not have been observed on foot without causing significant disturbance,” Dr Hodgson said.
The Australian Antarctic Program continues to monitor for signs of H5 bird flu in the Australian Antarctic Territory and on Macquarie Island, which to this point have not had any suspected cases.
These findings and the results of genetic testing have been submitted to a scientific journal for consideration of publication, but have not yet been peer-reviewed. A preprint is available at BioRxiv.
Wildlife teams assessing the site of a mass mortality of southern elephant seals (Photo: Julie McInnes)
Impact on Wildlife - Agriculture May not be known for a few days: Vaccines for Threatened birds
The Australian government states it has spent years preparing for an H5 bird flu incursion, committing $95 million in biosecurity, environmental and public health funding in October 2025
This included:
- $37 million over 2 years to protect Australian agriculture. To enhance national coordination of response arrangement and communications. We’ll strengthen surveillance and boost biosecurity capacity and capability.
- $35.9 million over 2 years to accelerate H5 bird flu preparedness planning and protective action. To use the best data available to target actions for our most at-risk species and important natural places.
- $22.1 million over 2 years to manufacture and store pandemic influenza vaccines. To better prepare us to respond to a potential influenza pandemic.
A further $11.2 million just before news of the infected bird was announced on Friday - although this was first announced May 28 2026. The media statement reads the government 'is delivering an additional $11.2 million to further ramp up efforts to prepare our most at-risk native species for a potential outbreak of H5 avian influenza (bird flu).'
Specifics of how Australia will 'prepare at-risk native species' from bird-flu, which has had catastrophic impacts on wildlife everywhere else, are focused on a); invasive species control, b); weed management and c); habitat improvement.
The government states, ''Healthy habitats and strong populations will give native species the best chance of withstanding the impacts of H5 bird flu''.
The government also released examples of projects underway as part of that $100 million spend to combat bird flu, which include:
- In South Australia, early project results show Australian sea lion pups are in better, healthier condition after treatment for hookworm infection. Pups have been monitored using pup shelters installed at high-risk sites, including Seal Bay. The shelters aim to enhance pup survival by reducing heat stress and the effects of adult male aggression.
- In the Northern Territory Mary River region, aerial pest and weed control is delivering strong results, with over 5,500 pigs removed and more than 1,700 hectares treated for invasive weeds to support at-risk species like the magpie goose.
- At Port Stephens off-shore islands in NSW, on-ground biosecurity measures are actively underway, with monitoring deployed and early results indicating no detections of pest species.
- Within the Coral Sea Marine Park, one of Australia's most spectacular marine treasures, rapid weed removal on Willis Island is targeting invasive species such as dwarf poinsettia and it's delivering immediate benefits. Seabirds have returned within 24 hours – including sooty terns – and have reoccupied nesting habitat and commenced egg laying, demonstrating the direct positive effects of ecological restoration works on critical breeding sites.
- Funding is also helping key wildlife facilities safeguard captive populations of threatened native species. In total, 29 facilities with 31 threatened species have received crucial support to help them prepare for H5 bird flu. This includes the Tasmanian devil, orange-bellied parrot and regent honeyeater.
Governments, conservation groups, and research facilities worldwide are developing and actively trailing bird flu vaccines for wildlife. While broad-scale vaccination of wild birds is not feasible, targeted vaccination programs are underway to protect threatened and highly vulnerable species.
Vaccination has been used in the United Kingdom and Europe (zoo birds), intensively managed critically endangered California condors in the United States, and in vulnerable avian populations in New Zealand.
The 'Vaccination policy for rare, protected and valuable avian species' in Australia, as of February 2025, is:
1)The use of AI vaccines in Australia is only permitted following appropriate Commonwealth and jurisdictional authorisation, through national decision-making mechanisms (Animal Health Committee, the Consultative Committee for Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) or equivalent).
2) National Management Group (NMG) may authorise vaccine use as part of the emergency animal disease response plan in a cost-shared emergency animal disease response under the Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement.
3) The use of AI vaccination in any jurisdiction is subject to approval by the relevant Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO) in all circumstances.
4) Vaccines will be under the control of the jurisdictional CVO of the state or territory where vaccination is proposed.
5) Only vaccines which meet Australia’s regulatory requirements will be used.
6) A decision to adopt a preventive or pre-emptive vaccination programme may be taken in special circumstances to protect a particularly rare or endangered species or individual (e.g. in the face of imminent threat of incursion). This would be agreed to via the national decision making mechanisms noted in point 1 above.
''The risks of handling birds for vaccine administration and post vaccination monitoring may be greater than the risk of them becoming infected. It should also be remembered that vaccinated birds, although protected from clinical disease, may still become infected (usually requiring exposure to a higher dose of the virus) and shed the virus, albeit at lower levels than non-vaccinated birds.'' the Introduction to the policy, from the Animal Health Committee, states
In May 2025 Fact Sheet the Federal Department of Agriculture announced:
''In February 2025, the Australian Government purchased an inactivated H5 bird flu vaccine from Zoetis, with a view to protecting priority non-poultry avian species – with a particular focus on threatened species. This vaccine has been used overseas to protect threatened bird species (free-ranging Californian condors).
Currently, the vaccine is only permitted for use by Australian Government agencies for research purposes, specifically for a vaccine trial being undertaken by CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP).
The purpose of the trial is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of this vaccine in small Australian bird species. This data has been requested by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to inform an application for an emergency use permit for priority native species.
Australia’s national Animal Health Committee (AHC) has endorsed a policy for the use of avian influenza vaccines for the protection of rare, protected and valuable avian species. Vaccination of priority native bird species could be considered in the event of an H5 bird flu outbreak, or if there is a significant threat of an incursion. Vaccination will primarily target threatened species held in captive breeding facilities. However, any decision to vaccinate such species is complex and depends on many factors.
In the meantime, the Australian Government continues to work with international governments to learn from overseas experiences in managing H5 bird flu, including the use of vaccines in threatened bird populations.
This fact sheet does not relate to the vaccination of poultry. ''
Over two million laying hens already lost to H7 variant
The H7 variant of the disease saw the loss of 10 per cent of Australia's laying hens from May 2024 left some egg shelves in shops bare for almost a year.
H7N3 was found at seven farms in Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT. The H7N9 sub-type was found at one farm in Victoria during this outbreak.
Australian authorities culled 1.67 million egg laying hens at those farms in 2024. A further 135,846 birds died of the disease, taking the number of dead poultry to 1.805 million.
Days after Australia's 2024 bird flu outbreak was officially declared over, H7N8 was detected at a farm in northern Victoria on February 8 2025, leading to the loss of a further 600 thousand hens.
Coles, Woolworths and Aldi had pledged to phase out or ban battery cages from their supply chains by 2025, although both still stock caged eggs as this Issue goes to press (June 20-21 2026).
With Western Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer Michelle Rodan recommending poultry farms and egg producers ensure their birds can have no contact with wild birds by being housed away from outdoor runs to prevent a spread of the disease, there may be soon be no free range eggs available across Australia.
Human Health
The government stated on Saturday H5 bird flu is a low health risk to the public as it rarely affects humans unless there is direct and close contact with sick birds. Eggs and poultry meat are safe to eat provided they are handled and cooked according to standard food-safety practices.
H5 bird flu causes severe illness and high death rates in birds.
In birds, the disease can cause sudden death, a sharp drop in egg production, swelling of the head and neck, breathing difficulties, and sometimes neurological signs such as loss of coordination.
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.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins said on Saturday:
“The Australian Government is well prepared for a potential outbreak of H5 bird flu, with well-established national response arrangements in place to respond to emergency animal diseases, including H5 bird flu.
“We take the risks of H5 bird flu seriously which is why our Government has invested more than $113 million to strengthen our nation’s preparedness.”
Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson said:
“This detection is being taken seriously, and Australia has been preparing for this scenario for several years.
“Australia is well prepared to respond to H5 bird flu and will react quickly, to protect poultry production, and reduce impacts on wildlife and communities.”
Steps to keep pets safe
The Australian government is already providing advice on how to keep pets safe as Bird Flu spreads. H5 bird flu has spread quickly overseas in animals, causing major impacts on poultry, wild birds and even mammals like seals, cats and dolphins.
The 5 easy ways you can help are:
1. Keep dogs on leash in wildlife areas (or don't take dogs into wildlife areas to begin with)
- Our native species can be sensitive and easily disturbed. Leashing dogs reduces stress on animals and lowers the risk of disease spread.
2. Prevent contact between pets and wildlife
- Don’t leave pet food or water where wild birds and animals can access it. This reduces unnecessary interactions.
3. Keep cats indoors or in secure enclosures
- Cats are natural hunters and can carry and spread diseases. Containing them also helps protect native animals, including birds and small mammals.
4. Wash your hands
- Always wash your hands well with soap and water before and after handling birds and other animals to protect yourself and reduce the chance of spreading germs.
5. Avoid, record, report
- If you see a group of sick or dead wildlife:
- AVOID contact and keep your distance
- RECORD the date, time, locations and take photos or videos if safe to do so
- REPORT it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888.
For more information visit: birdflu.gov.au
