#19,222
A week ago 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), followed last Wednesday by a 3rd confirmed detection in South Australia - roughly 1,000 miles east - on the Fleurieu Peninsula, very near Adelaide.
While detections remain sporadic, the overriding message from the Australian government is to avoid close contact with sick birds (or wildlife), record the incident details, and report sightings to the the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
Today we've have the following brief confirmation from Australia's DAFF of a 4th positive case - again in Western Australia - which also reports a presumed 5th case, also in WA.
H5 bird flu testing update
27 June 2026
Attributable to Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson:
Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) has confirmed H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) in a giant petrel in Western Australia.
This detection marks the fourth wild migratory seabird in Australia to return a positive result for H5 bird flu, with two others confirmed in Western Australia and one in South Australia.
Western Australian has also reported a further suspect positive detection, in a giant petrel found at Roses Beach, west of Esperance, with samples sent for confirmatory testing at CSIRO’s ACDP. At this stage, there have only been detections in vagrant migratory seabirds that occasionally visit southern Australia. There remains no evidence of any mass mortality events and there are no detections in poultry or in our agricultural production system.
The risk to human health remains low.
You can help to determine if H5 bird flu has spread. If you see multiple sick or dead birds or other animals, do not touch them. Avoid contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia.
For more information visit: birdflu.gov.au
