Scientists have confirmed the detection of the H5 strain of bird flu in Australia for the first time, marking the virus’s spread to every continent and raising fresh concerns over its global impact on wildlife and poultry.
Australia’s Agriculture Minister, Julie Collins, confirmed that the virus was identified in a migratory brown skua found in a remote part of Western Australia, while a second seabird, a giant petrel, also returned a suspected positive result. The findings were verified by the country’s national science agency.
The discovery ends Australia’s long-standing status as the only continent free from the H5 strain, which has caused widespread outbreaks among birds and some mammal species globally.
Collins described the development as disappointing but not unexpected, citing the global spread of the virus through migratory birds. She, however, noted that no mass bird deaths or infections in commercial poultry farms have been recorded so far.
Authorities have already convened emergency meetings involving agriculture and animal health officials to coordinate a national response and strengthen biosecurity measures.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the country had been preparing for the eventual arrival of the virus, noting that its spread through migratory birds was anticipated.
Experts say the H5 strain has devastated poultry farms and wild bird populations worldwide, with infections also recorded in mammals including cats, goats, alpacas, pigs, and marine species.
Conservation authorities have warned that Australia’s unique biodiversity could be particularly vulnerable, as nearly half of its bird species and more than 80 percent of its mammals are found nowhere else on Earth.
Australia’s Threatened Species Commissioner, Fiona Fraser, said plans are underway to protect at least 35 vulnerable species through expanded captive breeding and conservation programmes, warning that population-level impacts could occur.
Species identified as particularly at risk include the Tasmanian devil, black swan, little penguin, and Australian sea lion.
The confirmed detection occurred about 630 kilometres southeast of Perth in a remote wilderness area, with investigations ongoing into whether migratory birds from sub-Antarctic regions introduced the virus.
The development comes shortly after researchers reported that the H5 strain had killed more than 13,000 elephant seal pups on the remote Heard and McDonald Islands, underscoring the virus’s expanding ecological impact.