#19,282
While there are still no reports of HPAI H5N1 in poultry in Australia, the number of wild (local & migratory) birds confirmed infected continues to rise (n=175), with South Australia and Victoria leading the pack.
Overnight Victoria has announced an initial 14-day mandatory housing order for poultry in specified regions of the state. From their Agriculture Facebook page:
A housing requirement is now in place for poultry flocks of 50 or more birds along the south of the state for an initial 14 days following recent detections of H5 bird flu.
Poultry owners in these areas must house their birds or otherwise prevent contact with wild birds wherever practical.
Housing poultry is an additional risk mitigation option aimed at reducing exposure of poultry to infected wildlife. Wild birds are a known source of H5 bird flu.
Stringent biosecurity practices remain essential. If you notice unexplained illness or deaths in your birds, report it immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Find out more about the housing requirement:agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu
7 August 2026
Attributable to Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson:
Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) has confirmed a further 20 positive detections in Victoria, all in greater crested terns from the Portland and Nelson area.
There have now been 175 confirmed or presumed positive detections of H5 bird flu in Australia, based on samples tested.
There remain no detections in poultry or in our agricultural production system.
The risk to human health remains low.
7 August 2026
Attributable to Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson:
Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) has confirmed a further 32 positive detections in South Australia, 29 greater crested terns (12 at Port MacDonnell, 10 at Beachport, 1 at Robe, 1 at Carpenter Rocks, 1 at Cape Jaffa, 3 at Seal Bay on Kangaroo Island, and 1 at Port Elliot) and 3 silver gulls at Southend on the Limestone Coast.
There have now been 155 confirmed or presumed positive detections of H5 bird flu in Australia, based on samples tested.
There remain no detections in poultry or in our agricultural production system.
The risk to human health remains low.
Due to growing concerns, the Royal Adelaide Show - which is similar to a State Fair here in the U.S. - has announced the cancelation of all poultry, pigeon, and birds exhibits in their upcoming 9-day run (5–13 Sep).
Ten days ago we looked at a preprint by Raina MacIntyre et al. (HPAI H5N1 risk in Australia: a model for the prediction of poultry outbreaks) which included a map showing current HPAI H5 detections overlaying poultry production zones.
You can view an updated interactive map at EPIWATCH, which shows the continued encroachment of HPAI in wild birds to these sensitive regions.
While enhanced biosecurity can help reduce these risks, even countries with decades of experience dealing with HPAI continue to struggle to keep this deadly virus out of commercial and backyard poultry (see Front. Vet. Sci: Biosecurity deficiencies in HPAI-affected poultry farms in Korea, 2020/2021–2024/2025 seasons).
Stay tuned.