Australia, last continent without H5 bird flu, detects first suspected case
First suspected H5N1 bird flu case detected in mainland Australia
SYDNEY, June 19 (Reuters) - Australia has detected its first suspected mainland case of H5N1 bird flu in a remote part of the country's southwest, authorities said on Friday.
Details of the suspected case
A migratory sea bird known as a brown skua found in Western Australia's Cape Le Grand National Park tested positive for avian influenza, and further testing is being conducted to confirm the strain, said state Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis.
Official response and statements
"We are taking the suspected case of H5 bird flu seriously," Jarvis said. "If this is confirmed H5 bird incursion, there will be a rapid and coordinated national response."
Background on H5N1 bird flu
The virulent strain of H5 bird flu has spread through wild bird and mammal populations since 2021, killing millions, infecting poultry and dairy farms and even some farmworkers.
Australia's unique position
Australia is the only continent without a confirmed mainland case of the deadly strain. H5 was confirmed on Heard Island, a sub-Antarctic Australian territory in late 2025.
Biosecurity and preparation efforts
The country has been preparing for the arrival of H5N1 bird flu by tightening biosecurity at farms, testing shore birds for disease, vaccinating vulnerable species and war-gaming response plans.
Government perspectives
"While, if confirmed, this would obviously be a very concerning development, Australia has spent the past few years preparing for this likelihood," Environment Minister Murray Watt said in a statement.
Further testing and ongoing investigation
Results confirming whether the now-deceased brown skua had contracted H5 bird flu is expected on Saturday, Jarvis said.
Other affected wildlife
She added that another sick bird, a giant petrol, was also found in the same area and is being tested for influenza.
Potential impact on wildlife
Wayne Boardman, a wildlife veterinarian and associate professor at Adelaide University, said the virus could devastate Australia's native wildlife.
Risks to endangered species
Threats to birds and sea mammals
"This strain of bird flu has caused huge die-offs of birds and sea mammals," he said.
Concerns for endangered shorebirds and sea lions
"My concerns are that if the H5N1 avian flu virus is confirmed, it will pose a huge risk to some of our more endangered shorebirds, some of our coastal raptors, and our precious, unique, endemic and endangered Australian sea lions, whose population is precarious."
(Reporting by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman, Susan Fenton and Kate Mayberry)
