Friday, July 24, 2026

Queensland Reports `Presumed Positive' H5N1 Test in Migratory Seabird

 


#19,259

After going a week without any new reports of H5N1 in Australia or New Zealand, overnight Queensland's Department of Agriculture announced that samples from a deceased petrel found on Moreton Island (25 miles N.E. of Brisbane) have (preliminarily) tested positive for H5N1.

Initial testing was by the Queensland Government’s Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL). Samples have been forwarded to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmatory testing.

Typically, even when CSIRO has been unable to fully sequence a sample, Australia has been treating local test results as `likely positive'.  Two announcements from Queensland's government follows:

Queensland detects first case of H5 bird flu


The Department of Primary Industries is responding to a suspect positive case of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in Queensland.

This is Queensland’s first suspect positive case of H5 bird flu in a wild seabird.

Samples from a deceased petrel found on Moreton Island have tested positive for H5 bird flu during initial testing at the Queensland Government’s Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory (BSL).

Samples have been sent to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmatory testing.

Australia’s first case of H5 bird flu was reported on 20 June in Western Australia, with further detections in wild seabirds in WA, SA and NSW.

There remain no detections in poultry, nor evidence of large-scale deaths in any animals in Queensland.

The community is being urged to continue to report sick or dead wild birds.

Department of Primary Industries Chief Veterinary Officer Allison Crook said the suspect positive detection was expected and Queensland is well prepared for the next steps.

“We have known that a H5 bird flu detection in Queensland was a matter of when, not if,” Dr Crook said.

“The Queensland Government is well prepared to respond. This suspect positive result has not impacted our poultry sector or domestic wildlife,” she said.

“We are continuing our enhanced passive surveillance program throughout the state and would encourage the community and industry to continue to be vigilant,” Dr Crook said.

“If you find sick or dead wild birds or wildlife, avoid contact, keep children and pets away, record what you see, and report immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.”


Suspect positive case of H5 bird flu

Biosecurity Queensland has detected suspect positive H5 bird flu in a deceased wild migratory seabird found on Moreton Island (Mulgulpin).

This result is not unexpected following the recent detections of H5 bird flu in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales.
On this page


What we are doing

We are:
  • continuing to carry out surveillance
  • testing birds and animals
  • working with industry, government agencies and response partners
  • supporting strong biosecurity practices to help reduce the risk of spread
  • keeping Queenslanders informed as the situation develops.

Queensland has been preparing for H5 bird flu and has strong response arrangements in place. Australia also has national arrangements to respond to animal disease incidents.
What you need to do

If you see sick or dead wild birds or wildlife:
  • Avoid contact with sick or dead birds, wildlife and their environment. Do not touch or collect them.
  • Record what you see, if it is safe. Record the number of dead or sick birds or animals, the species, location, date and time. Take a photo if you can.
  • Report sick or dead birds or wildlife to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Your report will be reviewed, and we will contact you if more information is needed. Not all reports will require follow-up, sampling, or further action.
Actions for bird and livestock owners

If you own, care for or work with poultry, review your biosecurity practices now. A strong biosecurity plan helps protect your birds and your property.

Bird and livestock owners should report unusual signs of disease or sudden deaths immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Poultry owners should:
  • keep poultry away from wild birds
  • keep feed and water where wild birds cannot access it
  • keep sheds, yards, aviaries and equipment clean
  • limit visitors to areas where birds are kept
  • ask essential visitors if they have recently been on other properties with poultry
  • wash hands before and after handling birds and eggs
  • change into clean footwear before entering poultry areas
  • keep good records of bird movements or sales
  • report unusual signs of disease or increased deaths in birds.
  • Signs of bird flu in birds
Signs can include:
  • sudden death
  • lack of coordination, tremors or swimming in circles
  • twisted necks or other unusual posture
  • inability to stand or fly
  • diarrhoea
  • difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
  • swelling around the head, neck and eyes
  • cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes.
More information
Stay up to date with the H5 bird flu current situation in Queensland.
Visit birdflu.gov.au for more information.
Posted by at