H5 Bird Flu now detected in Australia
- BirdLife Northern Queensland
- Jun 20
- 4 min read
Updated: 6 days ago
BirdLife Australia
Urgent action to protect Australian birds ‘more important than ever’ following arrival of H5 bird flu
The Australian Government has confirmed Australia’s first detections of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in wild birds. A Brown Skua from Cape Le Grand National Park in southwest Western Australia and a nearby Southern Giant Petrel both tested positive, with a further confirmed case in a Southern Giant Petrel from Bennetts Beach near Hawks Nest, New South Wales. The situation continues to evolve.
As this is the first time the virus has been detected on the Australian continent, BirdLife Australia are highly concerned it could lead to an outbreak that spreads through Australian wildlife with serious consequences for threatened and common species. It’s not yet known if the virus has spread to other birds or wildlife within the Australian mainland.
Both birds tested are thought to have migrated to Australia from the sub-Antarctic, where H5N1 is already having devastating impacts on the wildlife of Australia’s Heard Island, including elevated mortality in Gentoo and King Penguins, and the deaths of thousands of seal pups.
Large-scale outbreaks of H5 bird flu (H5N1) have killed millions of wild birds and tens of thousands of mammals around the world. Until now, Australia and New Zealand had remained the last region on Earth free of the virus.
BirdLife Australia CEO Kate Millar says early detection of H5 bird flu is critical, but it is too soon to know if preparedness efforts have been successful.
“We are expecting that active coordinated surveillance of wild birds at strategic locations across the region will help determine the potential extent of an outbreak. Hopefully, this is an isolated case that has been caught early, but we must prepare for the worst.”
“We all knew this day was coming, and our preparedness as a country will now be tested. I’m concerned that many jurisdictions at the local level simply don’t yet have plans in place to respond to H5 bird flu.”
“We can’t overstate how significant this moment is for Australian wildlife. This virus has devastated wildlife populations overseas. This could be the beginning of a long fight to protect birds and wildlife in Australia.”
“The potential for this virus to kill wildlife in significant numbers means it could be particularly catastrophic for threatened species,” Ms Millar said. “We are talking about possible extinctions, alongside severe impacts to common birds like our beloved pelicans and black swans.”
With the potential for the virus to spread, Ms Millar said national conservation efforts must be elevated to build the resilience of wildlife. “Australia was already in the midst of an extinction crisis. To give birds and wildlife in Australia a fighting chance to survive this thing, it’s essential that we are protecting habitats and working harder to reduce existing threats.”
“BirdLife Australia is calling for a rapid and significant increase in investment to deliver the conservation programs needed and to ensure on-ground preparedness plans are in place. $11.2m for at-risk species is simply not sufficient now that H5 bird flu is here.”
“The expected environmental and economic impacts go hand in hand, so this requires a One-Health approach that protects wildlife, industry and communities together.”
“We’ve provided data and expertise to national preparedness initiatives, including helping to build tools for understanding likely hot spots and susceptible species.”
“We know wetland birds are particularly susceptible to H5 bird flu, so across Australia, it’s more important than ever we protect and restore wetland habitats and do everything we can to bolster the health of our native birds. Australian wildlife and birds are going to need all the help they can get.”
Far North Queensland
For birdwatchers in North Queensland, the issue is particularly relevant. Our region supports large concentrations of waterbirds and migratory species, with wetlands such as Hasties Swamp, Tinaroo and the Cairns Esplanade providing important habitat. Ongoing monitoring by birdwatchers and citizen scientists will play an important role in detecting unusual mortality events and helping authorities understand any spread of the disease.
Find out more
The arrival of H5N1 in Australia makes BirdLife Northern Queensland’s upcoming presentation by waterfowl ecologist Dr David Roshier especially timely. On 9 July in Malanda, Dr Roshier will discuss bird movements and the ecology of avian influenza in Australia, drawing on decades of research and satellite tracking studies to explain how waterbird movements influence disease spread and surveillance efforts.
The official BirdLife Australia information on H5N1 can be accessed here:
The Aviflu map from Deakin is here:
Birdata
In addition to reporting to the Hotline, people can also record sick/dead birds in Birdata.
Birdata may be useful as it has a new feature built specifically for this purpose. Instructions on How to use the Bird Impact Tracker (BIT) feature are available on the Birdata website
Resources tab at the top of the page > How-to-guides > Logging dead, sick, or injured birds
Note:
To access the BIT feature, you need to select the General Birdata program option (default one at the top of the list) when you go to record a survey.
You can upload photos but not video. (Recording video on your device is encouraged, though, as it can be passed onto relevant authorities on request.)
If you’re an existing Birdata User who records specialised surveys in other Birdata monitoring programs (e.g. Beach-nesting Birds, Shorebirds, Wetland Birds) then you should still do that. However, if you encounter dead/sick birds, you will need to record a separate General Birdata survey (using an ‘Incidental search’ survey type) to log the affected birds separately from the main survey.
The Australian Government will be ingesting Birdata BIT records on a regular basis but at this point access won’t be real-time. So people should also report immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 (i.e. don’t rely on the Birdata record alone).
Remember...
If you find a sick or dead bird that you suspect could have Avian Influenza (H5N1), remember to:
AVOID
Avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife and their environment. Do not touch, move or approach the bird, and do not allow pets to touch or eat sick or dead wildlife.
RECORD
Record hat you see, the location the animal was found, and take photos or video (if possible) without approaching the bird.
REPORT
Report any unusual illness or death in wild birds and other wildlife immediately via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on:
1800 675 888
Official BirdLife Australia advice on what to do if sick/dead birds is here:
