#19,217
Over the weekend Australia reported its first 2 detections of HPAI H5N1, both in migratory birds (Brown Skua & Giant Petrel) in Western Australia (see Australia: 2nd H5N1 Infected Bird Confirmed).
Today, South Australia is reporting a 3rd confirmed detection - roughly 1,000 miles east - on the Fleurieu Peninsula, very near Adelaide. Meanwhile, WA is reportedly testing another sick bird.
The following statement comes from the SA government's Department of Primary Industries and Regions Agency.
South Australia confirms first H5 bird flu case
Wednesday 24 June 2026
On Wednesday 24 June, South Australia recorded its first confirmed case of H5 bird flu in a vagrant migratory seabird found on a beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The confirmed case, a Southern Giant Petrel, was found by a wildlife welfare organisation on 14 June on Knights Beach at Port Elliot in a debilitated condition and taken into care.
PIRSA contacted the organisation on Friday 19 June upon learning of the case via social media and took samples immediately.
Testing by CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) has today returned a positive detection.
This is the first time this strain has been detected in South Australia. Since 1 January 2026, 774 samples from birds have been tested in SA.
Testing of the two seabirds found near Fowlers Bay on Eyre Peninsula has returned negative results.
The Southern Giant Petrel is a migratory seabird that breeds in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands between October and March. During the southern winter, these birds migrate north and can travel significant distances, including to the waters off South Australia.
Importantly, this is currently being treated as an isolated incident, and there are no detections in poultry anywhere in Australia at this time.
The State Government is asking the public to avoid, record and report any dead or sick birds or other wildlife to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
South Australia is well prepared to respond quickly to H5 bird flu to protect poultry production and reduce impacts on wildlife and communities.
The South Australian Government is also working with equivalent agriculture, environment and health agencies at a state and national level to coordinate emergency animal disease response activities, and the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) continue to lead the state’s preparedness for H5 bird flu.
Significant preparedness activities for H5 bird flu have included a $6.8 million State Government investment since 2022 to establish a mobile diagnostic laboratory, decontamination units and other equipment to enable rapid deployment and on-ground responses, and workforce readiness and capability development has included comprehensive training of over 240 personnel.
While SA is treating this as an `isolated incident', the fact that this is the 3rd confirmed detection in less than a week - coming from two different states - is sobering.
H5N1's recent history (at least since 2020) has been that once it arrives to a new region (North America, South America, Antarctic, etc.), it quickly establishes a beachhead.
As noted above, authorities in WA are also testing a presumed positive sick bird in Quindalup (WA), some 400 mile west of where the first 2 birds were detected.
Animal Health Australia has posted the following update:Latest emergency response news
Updated: 24 June 2026
H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) has been detected in migratory seabirds in both Western Australia (WA) and South Australia (SA).
In WA, two vagrant migratory seabirds — a brown skua and a northern giant petrel —have been confirmed with H5 bird flu following testing by CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP).
On 24 June 2026, a southern giant petrel near Quindalup (WA) returned a preliminary positive result for H5 bird flu. Confirmatory testing is underway to determine the pathogenicity and clade.
On the same day, SA recorded its first confirmed case of H5 bird flu in a vagrant migratory seabird found on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
At this stage:H5 bird flu is a low health risk to the public and rarely affects humans. Bird flu is not a food safety risk for chicken meat and eggs if they are handled and cooked correctly.
- there have been no detections in poultry
- there is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or spread to other animals
- there are currently no trade restrictions on poultry or poultry products for export out of Australia.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is leading the response in WA. This includes enhanced surveillance and coordination with industry, veterinarians, wildlife carers and local communities.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is leading the SA’s preparedness and response activities. The South Australian Government is working closely with agriculture, environment and health agencies at state and national levels.
National coordination is being led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF).
Further information is available at birdflu.gov.au.
