Australia records first suspected case of deadly bird flu strain

The deadly and highly contagious H5N1 strain of bird flu is suspected to have reached mainland Australia for the first time.

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced on Friday afternoon that a wild migratory seabird suspected to have avian influenza was detected in an isolated area in south-west Western Australia.

WA Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis has since confirmed the brown skewer seabird was discovered on Cape Le Grand Beach near Esperance on Sunday.

The bird had fallen ill and has since died.

An initial test came back positive for avian influenza and further testing is underway to confirm whether it is the H5N1 strain that has wiped out millions of birds, poultry and mammals around the world.

“We cannot confirm yet whether it is the strain of concern that is circulating at this stage, known as the H5 bird flu,” Collins told reporters in Hobart.

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“There is no evidence of any mass mortality at this time, nor is there any evidence of infection in poultry.”

A second bird showing symptoms in the same area is being tested for the bird flu.

The strain first caused mass deaths in birds in the northern hemisphere in 2021 and spread across continents before it was confirmed in Antarctica in mid-2025.

Australia was the last continent free from H5N1 but concerns grew that it would soon arrive after the strain was detected in the Heard and McDonald Islands, about 4000km south-west of Perth, in October.

Collins could not say whether the suspected case had arrived from Heard Island but said $113 million had been poured into preparing for the strain’s eventual arrival.

“If it is confirmed to be the H5 bird flu, this will be sobering, but not unexpected, given the spread globally,” she said.

“We’ve always said that we couldn’t keep it out forever.”

Jarvis said Australia is well-prepared to respond quickly to the strain to protect poultry production and manage impacts on communities.

“If it is indeed confirmed, poultry farmers are well aware of what they need to do,” Jarvis said.

“If members of the community see sick or diseased mammals, please avoid contact, record what you see and report it to the emergency animal diseases hotline on 1800 675 888.”

The H5 strain is highly contagious and can lead to widespread illness and death in birds and mammals, but has also impacted poultry in rare cases.

In Heard Island, it has wiped out 13,000 out of 17,000 seal pups since it was first detected in August.

H5 bird flu rarely affects humans.

“Only in exceptional rare cases has it impacted humans, but our government is doing the one health approach,” Collins said.

Tests results are expected to be handed down on Saturday.

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The WA government is leading the response as the Federal Department of Agriculture is coordinating a national response.

“I want to reassure the public that we’re well-placed to respond to and to manage this situation,” Collins said.

Australians are urged not to touch sick or dead birds or animals.

Instead, they are advised to take a photo from a safe distance, record the location and report the incident to birdflu.gov.au.