H5 Avian Influenza Found in Washed-Up Bird on Western Australia Beach, First Detection on Mainland

A sick bird that washed up on a remote beach near Esperance tested positive for the H5 variant of avian influenza, marking the first detection of this strain on mainland Australia. A West Australian vet discovered the bird last Sunday while walking with a friend. Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stated that authorities are investigating a second case of the H5 variant in Western Australia.

The virus has infected millions of birds worldwide and has now spread to every continent. Victorian Farmers Federation president Ryan Milgate said the detection remains a distant concern for Victorians. "So there is no need to be alarmed yet, but just be alert and report anything you're unsure of around native birds," Milgate said.

Victorian Farmers Federation egg group president Brian Ahmed said the discovery was not a surprise. "We've been aware of the avian influenza virus for some time and we've been watching it closely worldwide," Ahmed said. " Ahmed added that arrival of the virus is a matter of when, not if.

He noted the H5 strain is far more virulent and spreads more quickly than the H7 virus that previously affected Australian flocks. In 2024, Australia dealt with its largest recorded outbreak of bird flu when more than 1 million birds were culled in Victoria from the H7N8 strain.

Detections of that strain occurred on four commercial properties near Euroa, where hundreds of thousands of birds were euthanased.

2 million to prepare Australia's most at-risk native species for a potential H5 outbreak. Total federal investment for H5 preparedness stands at $113 million. The Victorian state government stated there is no detection of H5N1 in Victoria.