Australia confirms H5N1 bird flu in wild seabirds on mainland

Highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been confirmed in wild seabirds across two Australian states. Cases were identified in a brown skua and a giant petrel in Western Australia and a giant petrel rescued on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, with a fourth confirmed giant petrel in Western Australia and a fifth under investigation. Federal and state agencies report no detections in commercial poultry and assess the risk to humans as low.

The detections have triggered heightened biosecurity measures, including drone surveys of sea‑lion colonies and intensified ground monitoring along southern coasts. Papua New Guinea has imposed a ban on poultry imports from Australia, affecting a market worth roughly AU$44 million. Scientists warn the virus could spread to native wildlife and the domestic poultry sector if not contained, prompting ongoing surveillance and response planning.