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, 16 2026 | High pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 Bird Flu)

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

In June 2026, Australia confirmed its first detections of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in wild seabirds. There are a total of 14 confirmed cases of H5 bird flu, 8 in Western Australia, 5 in South Australia, and 1 in New South Wales. One suspect positive case in WA is undergoing confirmatory testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP).

One of the latest detections from South Australia is in an individual seabird (greater crested tern). This is the first confirmed detection of H5 bird flu in an Australian wild non-migratory seabird. All other detections have been in individual migratory seabirds whose species are known to occasionally visit coastal areas of southern Australia.

While the detection in an Australian wild non-migratory seabird is concerning, it is not unexpected. Greater crested terns have an overlapping coastal range with the migratory seabird species (greater petrels and brown skua) that have previously tested positive.

Several detections are ‘presumed positive’. Authorities are taking a precautionary approach if ACDP testing is unable to fully confirm the specific H5 strain and treating these detections as ‘presumed positive’ based on the species involved, the circumstances of the detection and available evidence.

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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