H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu)

H5 bird flu: current situation

Cases of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in migratory seabirds have been confirmed in Western Australia, South Australia and New South Wales. These are the first confirmed detections in Australia.

Overseas, the highly contagious H5 strain has caused severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and other wildlife species. Human cases are rare and not easily transmitted between people, and there are currently no detections in Victoria.

Victorians are reminded to stay aware and report any unusual bird deaths.

This strain of bird flu is different from the H7 strains that were detected on Victorian poultry farms in 2024 and 2025.

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For more information about the situation across Australia, visit Bird flu (avian influenza).