A sick migratory seabird found in southern Western Australia has tested positive for avian influenza, with further testing underway to confirm if it is Australia's first mainland case of the deadly H5N1 strain. The brown skua, a subantarctic species, was discovered at Cape Le Grand National Park on Sunday and has since died, the Western Australian government confirmed on Friday.
Second Bird Under Investigation
A second bird, a giant petrel, has been found sick in the same area and is currently being tested. Experts have long feared that the virus could devastate native bird species and potentially threaten marine mammals and other wildlife. Australia remains the only continent to have so far escaped the devastating strain, which has killed hundreds of millions of birds globally. Governments have been preparing for a potential arrival since the virus began spreading out of Europe in 2021.
Testing and Government Response
Initial testing at a Western Australian laboratory returned a "suspected positive result for avian influenza," according to federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins. Samples have been sent to the CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmation, with results expected on Saturday. Collins convened a meeting with state and territory agencies and industry experts on Friday, with further briefings planned for Saturday.
"There is no evidence of any mass mortality at this time. Nor is there any evidence of infection in poultry," Collins stated. "If it is confirmed to be the H5 bird flu, this will be sobering but not unexpected, given the spread globally. We certainly expected we couldn't remain H5-free forever, as the only continent currently free of the H5 bird flu."
Public Health Advisory
Collins reminded the public not to touch sick or dead birds or other animals, and to report any sightings to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888) or visit birdflu.gov.au. Western Australian Agriculture Minister Jackie Jarvis detailed that the brown skua was found unwell on Cape Le Grand beach on June 14 and subsequently died. "Appropriate action, including isolating the bird, was taken and samples collected for testing," Jarvis said.
Broader Wildlife Concerns
This development comes days after scientists confirmed that thousands of southern elephant seal pups on Heard Island and hundreds of adult king penguins in the subantarctic had died from the disease through 2025 and 2026. Dr. Carol Booth, a policy director with the Invasive Species Council, expressed deep concern. "We desperately hope this is not the realization of our worst dreams. The recently reported mass deaths of elephant seals on Heard Island were a harbinger of the potential catastrophe for Australian wildlife if the virus has made it to mainland Australia," she said.
Booth noted that if H5N1 is confirmed, the government's own risk assessment predicts potentially catastrophic impacts on native birds, while the virus's increasing ability to infect mammals raises the prospect of severe impacts on marine mammals and other wildlife. She emphasized that even if this turns out to be a false alarm, it warns against complacency and highlights the urgency of mitigating other threats to potentially susceptible wildlife.
Birdlife Australia's Response
Birdlife Australia's chief executive, Kate Millar, described the development as "highly concerning." She noted that the organization's scientists and grassroots members have worked with governments to increase monitoring and train people in reporting and response protocols. Birdlife has also helped model possible entry points for the deadly H5N1 strain, including from subantarctic islands or via northern Australia from birds migrating from Asia. Millar called on the government to ensure that expertise from organizations like Birdlife Australia is included in discussions regarding the suspected case in Western Australia.
"We've seen mortality in significant numbers, and when it impacts threatened species, the outcomes become particularly catastrophic," Millar added. The situation remains under close monitoring as test results are awaited.
