Australia ramps up bird flu surveillance after first mainland cases

SYDNEY: Australian authorities ramped up surveillance and testing after two cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu were confirmed in migratory seabirds, as local media reported on Wednesday that several specimens were found dead on remote beaches.

Tests are underway in South Australia after two dead sub-Antarctic seabirds and a pelican were found on Monday near Fowlers Bay, more than 1,200km east of Esperance in Western Australia where the first two confirmed cases were reported, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

South Australia state primary industries minister Claire Scriven told ABC Radio it could be several days before results from the bird samples are available.

“In terms of the turnaround times, it sort of depends on the outcomes … we hope this doesn’t get to South Australia, but we know, of course, that it may,” Scriven said.

A South Australia primary industries department spokesperson said there were no confirmed bird flu cases in the state, but it will investigate any reports of sick or dead birds and will alert the public if a positive case is found.

Ground-based surveillance and drone surveys are being carried out at sea lion breeding sites along South Australia’s west and far west coasts, while testing frequency has been increased in high-risk areas.

Two more birds are being tested in Western Australia, far from the initial cases, but authorities said there was no evidence of a wider spread, the ABC reported. A total of 11 samples have been sent for testing in Western Australia from 94 reports of dead or unwell birds over the past three days, the report added.

Until now, Australia had been the only continent without a confirmed mainland case, though the virus was detected in late 2025 on the sub-Antarctic territory of Heard Island.

Human infections remain rare, but the global spread of avian influenza has devastated flocks and disrupted the supply and pricing of poultry meat and eggs in many countries.

In its efforts to tackle bird flu, Australia has tightened farm biosecurity, increased testing of shorebirds, vaccinated vulnerable species and conducted response simulations.