Suspected Bird Flu Case in Australia Could Mark Global Spread of H5 Strain

The first suspected case of a deadly strain of bird flu that has killed millions of birds and mammals worldwide has been found in Australia, the federal government has confirmed.

A wild migratory bird in Western Australia has returned a suspected positive result for avian influenza, which, if confirmed as the H5 strain, would mean the virus had finally spread to every continent on the planet.

The highly pathogenic H5 strain has devastated populations of seabirds, seals and other animals across the world.

This afternoon, Federal Agricultural Minister Julie Collins said the WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development was investigating.

"The initial testing at the Western Australian laboratory has returned a suspected positive result for avian influenza."

Ms Collins said samples had been sent to CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.

She said the results were expected tomorrow.

"We cannot confirm yet whether it is the strain of concern that is circulating, at this stage, known as the H5 bird flu," she said.

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

Ms Collins said Western Australia would coordinate a response, with the national coordination to be led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Keep 'safe distance' from sick birds

The minister asked Australians not to touch sick or dead birds or animals.

"If you see multiple sick or dead birds or other animals. Please take photos or record it from a safe distance," Ms Collins said.

"Record your location and go to birdflu.gov.au to report it."

Ms Collins said the bird in question was a migratory wildlife bird but could not say any more.

The bird was found a few days ago, but testing came back late yesterday.

Ms Collins would only say it was in the southwest of Western Australia but could not be any more specific.

She said Australia had been preparing for the H5 strain for some time.

"I want to reassure the public that we're well placed to respond to and to manage this situation."

The Australian government has called together a meeting of the states and territories and industry experts to discuss the issue.

"Western Australia, as the lead jurisdiction, would increase surveillance with some of the other states and territories if it is confirmed," Ms Collins said.

WA Agriculture and Food Minister Jackie Jarvis confirmed the detection was found in a single seabird on the south coast of Western Australia.

The minister is due to hold a press conference at 3pm local time.

How H5 bird flu has spread around the world

The H5 strain of bird flu first started to cause mass mortality outbreaks in seabirds in the northern hemisphere in late 2021.

An outbreak in Argentina in 2022 left 96 per cent of southern elephant seal pups dead, with ongoing impacts apparent a year later, when only one third of seals returned to breed.

It was confirmed in Antarctica in mid 2025 and killed tens of thousands of penguins, seals and sea lions.

It was detected on the remote Australian territories of Heard Island and McDonald Islands in October last year.

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A report released yesterday found that since then, 13,359 baby seals have been killed out of a population of 17,364.

H5 bird flu has also been detected in domestic pets, including cats and dogs, farm animals, dolphins, foxes and polar bears.