Incident Information

Information is available on a number of current wildlife health incidents in Australia, as well as selected long-term health investigations and historic wildlife health incidents. Detailed information is available in the national electronic Wildlife Health Information System (eWHIS).

Use the search bar to find information on wildlife health incidents. 

Some recent incidents of national interest have been supplied as quick links in the side menu.

Jul, 9 2026 | High pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 Bird Flu)

Incident – H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in migratory seabirds, Australia - ongoing

In June 2026, Australia confirmed its first detections of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in wild birds. There are a total of eight confirmed (or presumed) cases of H5 bird flu (H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza 2.3.4.4.b), five in Western Australia, two in South Australia, and one in New South Wales. The most recent detection in WA is presumed positive as laboratory testing was unable to fully confirm the specific H5 strain.

Four suspect detections, two from SA (Yorke Peninsula and Kangaroo Island) and two from WA (Horrocks Beach and Perth) are awaiting results from confirmatory testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP).

To date all detections have been in individual migratory seabirds whose species are known to occasionally visit coastal areas of southern Australia.

There is no evidence of mass mortalities in wildlife or any infection in poultry at this time.

The Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (WA DPIRD), South Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) and New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (NSW DPIRD) are leading on-ground activities and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is supporting national coordination.

                                                                  AVOID. RECORD. REPORT.

Any unusual illness or death in wild birds should be reported via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

For more information on these H5 bird flu events, see:

See Australian reports to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) for more information: Event 7649 

WHA information can be found on the WHA H5 Bird Flu resource centre, which provides information sheets, videos and toolkits for preparing, understanding and responding to H5 bird flu.

 

 

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