Australia ‘as well prepared as possible’ for bird flu

By the Editorial Team · Monday, June 29, 2026

Australian officials are intensifying surveillance and response efforts after detecting the H5 avian influenza virus in wild birds in Western and South Australia. The government aims to prevent the virus from reaching eastern states and commercial poultry farms to avoid severe economic impacts, while also advising the public to minimize contact with wild birds to protect pets and wildlife.

Australia is closely monitoring the highly pathogenic H5 avian influenza following recent detections among wild birds in Western Australia and South Australia, with federal officials emphasizing preparedness measures to prevent spread into the country’s eastern states.

Federal Environment Minister Murray Watt acknowledged that an outbreak among commercial poultry would have severe economic consequences for the industry. However, he maintained that the virus’s transmission to the eastern states was not inevitable. Since the initial detection of H5 bird flu in a brown skua last week, coordinated response plans involving federal, state, and territory officials have been activated. Watt described it as “quite remarkable” that Australia had avoided widespread outbreaks for as long as it has, especially compared to other continents where the virus is more prevalent.

Watt highlighted that the delay in the virus’s arrival has allowed Australian authorities time to strengthen preventative programs supported by both the Environment and Agriculture Departments. He cautioned that while it is impossible to guarantee the virus will not reach other parts of the country, there have been instances overseas where the virus entered a region without causing extensive spread. “It’s a little bit uncertain,” he said.

Currently, no cases of bird flu have been reported in commercial poultry operations, a situation the government is keen to maintain. “There’s no reports ... of any poultry in a commercial setting having bird flu and we’d like to see it stay that way,” Watt said during an appearance on television.

Complementing these efforts, the federal government’s Threatened Species Commissioner Fiona Fraser urged the public to avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds to minimize transmission risk. Fraser emphasized that mammals, including domestic pets such as cats and dogs, are susceptible to H5 bird flu and recommended keeping pets away from wildlife as a precautionary measure. “It’s safer for our pets. It’s safer for our wildlife,” she noted.

Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely amid concerns about the virus’s impact on both the poultry industry and native wildlife.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.