H5 bird flu

H5 bird flu has been detected in wild birds on mainland Australia for the first time in June 2026. 

For more information on this event, please see Incident - HPAI H5N1 (H5 bird flu) in migratory seabirds, WA - June 2026. 

For general information about H5 bird flu in wildlife, please see the WHA H5 bird flu Resource Centre

Wild Bird Surveillance

The National Avian Influenza Wild Bird (NAIWB) Surveillance Program provides a key source of knowledge and understanding regarding avian influenza viruses circulating in Australia. This program contributes to our scientific understanding of these viruses in an Australian context, informs disease and biosecurity risks for wildlife, the poultry industry and human health, and supports Australia’s capacity to rapidly detect and respond to outbreaks of avian influenza, including H5 bird flu.  

Wildlife Health Australia leads this program, coordinating surveillance activities around the country, collating surveillance data, and supporting a national Steering Group, which provides recommendations on the design and implementation of this program and a platform for sharing up-to-date technical knowledge. The program is funded with support from the Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, with significant in-kind support from surveillance partners and Steering Group members. This program aligns with the objectives of the National Animal Health Surveillance Plan 2022-2027 (NAHSP).  

The objectives of the program are to: 

  1. Generate data to describe the variety, ecology and epidemiology of avian influenza viruses in wild birds in Australia
  2. Support preparedness and strategic risk assessment for stakeholders in domestic animal, human and wildlife health,supporting management of avian influenza through a One Health approach and addressing risks with potential for economic, environmental and social impact.
  3. Communicate data and analysis with key stakeholders
  4. Foster collaboration and biosecurity awareness
  5. Support optimal national diagnostic and surveillance capability and capacity for avian influenza viruses, including maintenance of fit-for-purpose sample collection and submission protocols, diagnostic tests and laboratory resources for provision of timely and accurate results. 
Surveillance Menu
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> WHA Coordinators & Environment Representatives

> Sentinel Surveillance

> Wild Bird Surveillance

> Bat Health Focus Group

> National Significant Disease Investigation Program

> eWHIS - Wildlife Health Information System

The data analysed in this program is collected through two streams: 

Targeted surveillance – following a risk-based approach, targeted surveillance focusses on sampling of presumably healthy wild birds, particularly waterfowl (Anseriformes), shorebirds (Charadriiformes) and seabirds (Procellariiformes), at key locations around the country and at particular times through the year. This structured approach provides opportunity to understand patterns and trends in avian influenza viruses in wild bird populations around Australia. Surveillance partners include national and jurisdictional animal health agencies, university-based researchers, and the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness. 

General surveillance – avian influenza viruses may be identified through disease investigation of significant or unusual numbers of sick and dead wild birds. These events are reported by State/Territory WHA Coordinators, Sentinel Surveillance partners and others into WHA’s national wildlife health database (‘eWHIS’).  

Data is reported publicly twice a year in the newsletter Wild Bird News, following a formal process of approval with surveillance partners, jurisdictional animal health agencies, and Australia’s Animal Health Committee. From July 2005 to December 2025, over 164,000 wild bird samples have been tested for avian influenza viruses. A wide range of low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) virus subtypes have been identified and characterised, including endemic LPAI H5 and H7 subtypes and occasional novel subtypes, which form a natural part of the viral diversity in our wild birds.  

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1. To regularly detect AIVs by sampling wild birds, in order to:

  • Contribute to a better understanding of AIV genetic variation and gene flow of subtypes, ecology and epidemiology to support industry and human and wildlife health strategic risk assessment and management, and
  • Generate AIVs sequence data required to monitor genetic diversity and variation of AIVs circulating in Australia and maintain a contemporary Australian AIV sequence “library”, and,
  • Maintain fit-for-purpose diagnostic tests and national laboratory diagnostic capacity and capability.

2. To share and communicate data nationally, and internationally,

3. To contribute to One Health through regular communication of AIV data to the Department of Health with specific analysis of wild bird AIVs for likelihood of infection and transmission in humans, and

4. To exclude AIVs, specifically H5 and H7, via investigation of significant, unexplained or mass mortality events in wild birds.

1. To regularly detect AIVs by sampling wild birds, in order to:

    • Contribute to a better understanding of AIV genetic variation and gene flow of subtypes, ecology and epidemiology to support industry and human and wildlife health strategic risk assessment and management, and

    • Generate AIVs sequence data required to monitor genetic diversity and variation of AIVs circulating in Australia and maintain a contemporary Australian AIV sequence “library”, and,

    • Maintain fit-for-purpose diagnostic tests and national laboratory diagnostic capacity and capability.

2. To share and communicate data nationally, and internationally,

3. To contribute to One Health through regular communication of AIV data to the Department of Health with specific analysis of wild bird AIVs for likelihood of infection and transmission in humans, and

4. To exclude AIVs, specifically H5 and H7, via investigation of significant, unexplained or mass mortality events in wild birds.