The Philippines detects H5N1 bird flu in backyard poultry, as Australia confirms its first local seabird infection

WORLD – The Philippines has confirmed a new outbreak of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in backyard poultry in Oriental Mindoro province, while Australia has reported its first locally infected mainland seabird, signalling the continued spread of the virus across the Asia-Pacific region.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), Philippine authorities identified the virus in a backyard flock of 39 birds in the town of Capalan, Oriental Mindoro, after laboratory testing confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain.

Officials responded by culling the entire flock as a disease-control measure to prevent the virus from spreading to other birds in the surrounding area.

The latest detection comes as governments and poultry producers continue to monitor the spread of avian influenza, which has caused widespread losses in poultry populations across several countries in recent years, disrupting food supplies, pushing up poultry prices, and increasing concerns about the possibility of transmission to humans.

Australia records first infected local seabird

Meanwhile, Australian authorities have confirmed the country’s first case of H5N1 in a locally found mainland seabird after laboratory analysis identified the virus in a greater crested tern discovered in the coastal town of Robe in South Australia.

Australia’s national science agency conducted the testing that confirmed the infection, with Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announcing the findings on Friday.

Until now, Australian detections had been limited to migratory seabirds, making this the first confirmed infection involving a local mainland seabird since the virus reached the country last month.

The newly confirmed case has increased Australia’s total number of H5N1 detections to 12 after authorities also verified two additional infections in South Australia and another in Western Australia.

Collins described the latest finding as concerning but said authorities had anticipated the possibility as surveillance efforts expanded following the virus’s arrival in Australia.

She added that investigators are examining how the greater crested tern became infected to understand the pathway by which the virus reached the bird.

Australian officials also said there is currently no evidence that the virus has caused large-scale deaths among wild birds or spread into other animal populations, commercial poultry operations or the country’s broader agricultural sector.

Both developments highlight the continued need for surveillance and rapid disease response measures as animal health authorities across the region work to contain H5N1 infections and limit the risk of further spread among wild birds and domestic poultry.

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