Australia confirms local spread of H5N1 bird flu among wild birds
No cases have been detected in Australia’s poultry industry despite 18 confirmed infections across four states.
AUSTRALIA – Australia has confirmed that the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus is now spreading within its native wild bird population, marking a new phase in the country’s response after the virus was first detected on the mainland in June.
The announcement came from Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins, who said evidence shows the virus has been transmitted between greater crested terns in South Australia, indicating local circulation among wild birds rather than isolated introductions.
Collins said authorities have not observed any mass wildlife deaths linked to the virus so far, although they expect additional cases to be identified as surveillance continues across affected areas.
She also said there are currently no confirmed H5N1 infections in Australia’s commercial poultry sector, meaning the outbreak remains confined to wild bird populations.
The latest development follows Queensland’s confirmation over the weekend of its first H5N1 case after a migratory seabird tested positive for the virus, making it the fourth Australian state to detect the strain.
Health and biosecurity officials have now confirmed 18 H5N1 infections across four states, including a dead petrel discovered by park rangers on Moreton Island, located about 40 kilometres from Brisbane.
Queensland authorities said there is still no evidence of infections in poultry or widespread animal deaths within the state, while maintaining that the risk to public health remains low.
Australia became the last continent to report a mainland H5N1 case when the virus was detected in June, although the strain had previously been identified in late 2025 on Heard Island, a remote Australian territory in the southern Indian Ocean located about 4,100 kilometres from the mainland.
The H5N1 strain has circulated widely through wild birds and mammals since 2021, causing millions of bird deaths worldwide while also infecting poultry flocks, dairy cattle and a limited number of farm workers in several countries.
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