Australia has recorded its first mainland case of the deadly H5N1 bird flu strain, with a migratory seabird found on the Western Australian coast testing positive for the disease. The agriculture minister, Julie Collins, confirmed that a brown skua discovered unwell last Sunday at Cape Le Grand national park near Esperance in southern WA had died from H5N1. Additional tests suggested a sick giant petrel found in the same area was also infected, with samples being sent to the CSIRO's laboratory for confirmation.
National Response and Preparedness
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the arrival of H5N1 as concerning but emphasized the government's preparedness, noting that $113 million had been spent on preparation. He stated, "What we're about is making sure, firstly, that we do whatever we can to restrict the spread." The government's first priority is to limit the spread of the virus, which has killed millions of birds globally and crossed over into mammal species, including elephant seals.
Collins promised a nationally coordinated response focused on determining the extent of the disease's spread in wildlife. "We will know within a few days about whether or not this has established itself in any populations in Australia, or whether it's migratory birds that have come up from the sub-Antarctic," she said. There is currently no evidence of mass mortalities or infection of poultry.
Impact on Wildlife
Experts have long feared the virus could devastate native bird species and potentially threaten marine mammals. BirdLife Australia chief executive Kate Millar said, "This virus has devastated wildlife populations overseas. This could be the beginning of a long fight to protect birds and wildlife in Australia." The threatened species commissioner, Fiona Fraser, warned that if H5N1 becomes established in wildlife, little can be done to stop the spread. She identified species such as the Tasmanian devil, orange-bellied parrot, black swan, Australian fur seal, and sea lion as particularly susceptible.
Surveillance and Public Advice
Chief veterinary officer Beth Cookson stated that the WA government is conducting on-ground surveillance to investigate whether the disease is present in wild native bird populations. She advised the public to avoid contact with sick or dead birds, take a photo, and report the location to authorities. "At this early stage, it is difficult to make a conclusion about whether the infection has established in wildlife populations," Cookson said. She emphasized that Australia has learned from international experience and is as prepared as possible to respond.
Western Australia's agriculture minister Jackie Jarvis noted that the two birds were found by a trained wildlife carer who reported them. She described it as "an isolated incident in an isolated area" but urged the community to be alert and prepared for the possibility other birds and mammals could be affected. The development comes after scientists confirmed thousands of southern elephant seal pups on Heard Island and hundreds of adult king penguins died from the disease in 2025 and 2026.
