Australia's first confirmed H5N1 bird flu cases in wild seabirds and response efforts
Consensus Summary
Australia is experiencing its first confirmed cases of the H5N1 bird flu strain in wild seabirds, primarily migratory birds from the sub-Antarctic region, with detections in Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales. As of July [DATE UNVERIFIED], there are 13 confirmed cases, including the first detection in a local Australian seabird, a greater crested tern found in South Australia. The virus has not yet spread to commercial poultry or caused mass mortality in wildlife, but authorities are increasing surveillance and public reporting efforts. The first case was confirmed in a brown skua in Western Australia less than one month prior, marking the beginning of the outbreak. The H5 strain is distinct from the H7 strain that caused widespread culling in 2024-25, and experts warn of the potential for further spread to local bird populations. Public health risks remain low, but biosecurity measures are being reinforced across the country.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- The first confirmed case of H5 bird flu in Australia was detected in a migratory seabird (brown skua) found on a remote beach in Western Australia less than one month ago.
- Since the first case in WA, there have been four confirmed cases in WA and one in South Australia, bringing the total to five cases.
- The first H5 case in South Australia was confirmed on June 24 in a giant petrel found at Knights Beach.
- The first confirmed case of H5 bird flu in New South Wales was detected in a giant petrel found near Hawks Nest on the Mid North Coast.
- As of 9am on Monday, Australia had 13 confirmed detections of the H5 strain in wild birds: seven in Western Australia, five in South Australia, and one in New South Wales.
- The bird found dead at Robe Marina on Tuesday (reported by a member of the public) was collected for testing the same day.
- The H5 strain of bird flu has been detected in an Australian seabird (greater crested tern) for the first time, marking a shift from migratory sub-Antarctic birds.
- The H7 bird flu strain, which spread through NSW, ACT, and Victorian egg farms in 2024-25, forced widespread quarantine measures and the culling of 1.8 million birds.
- The Emergency Animal Disease Hotline number is 1800 675 888.
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- The Twinnies Pelican and Seabird Rescue centre in Queensland raised $30,000 in donations within 48 hours to build a larger quarantine facility.
- The Twinnies have been stockpiling protective equipment in the event of an outbreak.
- The Twinnies were famously discovered by the late Steve Irwin.
- The first case of H5 bird flu in NSW was confirmed on July 5, becoming the sixth confirmed case in Australia.
- The advice for free-range egg producers will be reviewed in two weeks.
- The aerial survey in South Australia recorded more than 30,000 seabirds and seals from about 600 locations, including 85 islands, islets, and reefs between the Head of Bight and The Pages, east of Kangaroo Island.
- The Twinnies have been rescuing and rehabilitating birds for decades.
- The first-known bird flu case in Australia was confirmed last month in a brown skua seabird at Western Australia's Cape Le Grand beach.
- The giant petrel at Hardwicke Bay on Yorke Peninsula was reported on Friday, and subsequent testing at a state lab revealed a low viral load.
- The results of further testing at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong will be known in the next 24 to 48 hours.
- The aerial survey found no evidence of widespread impacts of H5 bird flu along the SA coastline.
- The outbreak of abalone viral ganglioneuritis in the South East in 2024 and 2025 was mentioned as a past biosecurity concern.
- The first confirmed case of H5 bird flu in Australia was detected in a migratory seabird found on a remote beach in Western Australia less than one month ago (repeated multiple times).
- The bird was assessed by a vet before being tested positive for H5 in Camden near Sydney, before being sent to the national testing lab to see what strain of H5 it was.
- The Twinnies put out an appeal on social media to raise $30,000 in donations to build a larger quarantine facility at the centre, at Landsborough on the Sunshine Coast.
- A young fur seal found at Blue Bay on the Central Coast in New South Wales is also being tested as a precaution for H5 bird flu, and the animal died on Thursday.
- The dead bird was found at Robe on SA’s Limestone Coast by a member of the public (repeated).
- The detection of H5 bird flu in a greater crested tern is described as a 'paradigm shift' in the development of the disease in Australia.
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- The Guardian states the dead bird was found at Robe on Thursday, while ABC states it was found on Tuesday and reported to the hotline the same day.
- The ABC states the first confirmed case in NSW was found on July 5, while the Guardian does not provide a specific date for the first suspected case in NSW.
- The ABC mentions the first case in NSW was confirmed on July 5, becoming the sixth confirmed case in Australia, but the Guardian does not mention this specific count or date.
Source Articles
International experts weigh in on Australia’s bird flu response
While the H5N1 bird flu strain is relatively new to Australia, experts who have monitored the spread in other continents say surveillance is key to tackling the deadly virus.
First case of deadly H5N1 bird flu confirmed in NSW
The first case of the deadly H5 bird flu is confirmed in a giant petrel found on the NSW Mid North Coast.
H5 bird flu strain detected in Australian seabird for first time
CSIRO lab testing has confirmed the detection of H5 bird flu in a greater crested tern — the first time the strain has been detected in an Australian seabird, after previous confirmed cases involved migratory birds from the sub-Antarctic region.
Deadly H5 bird flu found in local Australian seabird for first time
Native greater crested tern – a common coastal bird – tests positive for disease after being discovered at Robe on SA’s Limestone Coast Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The first case of deadly H5 bird flu in local wildlife has been recorded in a bird found on the South Australian coast. The federal agriculture minister, Julie Collins, said on Friday that a greater crested tern – a common coastal bird – had tested
Qld wildlife rescuers brace for H5 avian influenza after sick bird found at Noosa
A northern giant petrel found at Noosa Main Beach is undergoing testing for H5 avian influenza.
Suspected bird flu case detected in SA but yet to be confirmed as H5
A suspected H5 bird flu case is detected in a giant petrel on SA's Yorke Peninsula, but the state government says the viral load is low with further results expected within the next 48 hours.
Second case of deadly bird flu detected in NSW
A second petrel found on the NSW Mid North Coast has tested positive for bird flu.
Giant petrel found on Noosa beach tests negative for bird flu
The giant petrel was taken to RSPCA Queensland's Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre where it underwent testing by Biosecurity Queensland as part of its surveillance program.
Second case of H5 bird flu detected on South Australian coast
South Australia's second confirmed case of H5 bird flu was detected in a giant petrel found on the state’s Yorke Peninsula.
Breaking: Suspected bird flu case detected in NSW
A suspected positive case of H5 bird flu has been identified in New South Wales, the state agriculture minister has announced.
NSW records first suspected case of deadly H5 bird flu as virus reaches Australia’s east coast
Migratory giant petrel discovered near Hawks Nest north of Newcastle infected with H5. Testing under way to determine if it’s highly pathogenic H5N1 strain Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast New South Wales has its first suspected case of the deadly H5 bird flu in a giant petrel that was found near Hawks Nest, north of Newcastle, on the state’s coast. If CSIRO testing confirms it is the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain
NSW poultry industry faces nervous wait after suspected bird flu case
Nervous times ahead for the NSW poultry industry, with one producer believing it is "only a matter of time" before commercial operations are affected by H5 bird flu.