A highly contagious strain of avian influenza has officially reached the Australian mainland.
Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins confirmed that a brown skua found sick in Western Australia died from the H5N1 virus.
>>> Haberman and Swan Expose Sealed Inner Circle in Second Trump Term
The death of this wild migratory bird ends Australia's status as the only continent previously free of the highly pathogenic virus.
Globally, the H5 bird flu strain has devastated animal populations since 2021, killing millions of wild birds and thousands of marine mammals.
Authorities have now confirmed five cases in migratory sub-antarctic birds. Four were located in Western Australia and one in South Australia.
A potential sixth case involving a giant petrel discovered north of Newcastle in New South Wales is awaiting test results.
The deadly bird flu strain, specifically designated as H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, originated in Asia.
It spread across Europe and the Americas before reaching Antarctica during the 2023-2024 summer season.
Researchers estimate the virus first entered Australian territory in August 2025 on Heard Island, southwest of Perth.
The disease quickly infected local wildlife, causing the deaths of over 13,000 southern elephant seal pups and hundreds of king penguins.
The mainland incursion was identified after a sick brown skua was discovered at Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance.
The initial positive test result was later verified by the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.
Impact on Agriculture and Human Health Risks
This H5 strain is distinct from the H7 bird flu, which triggered poultry farm outbreaks across multiple Australian states in 2024 and 2025.
