Queensland has confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu, marking the fourth Australian state to report the highly pathogenic virus. Authorities announced on Saturday that a migratory seabird tested positive for the virus on Moreton Island, a protected wilderness area located approximately 40 kilometers by ferry from Brisbane.

Australia became the last continent to record a mainland case of H5N1 in June, following earlier detections in late 2025 on Heard Island, a sub-Antarctic territory situated about 4,100 kilometers from the Australian mainland. To date, there have been eighteen confirmed infections across four states, including Queensland.

The infected bird was a dead petrel found by local park rangers, according to state officials. Despite these detections, Queensland health authorities emphasized there have been no cases reported in poultry or significant animal mortality linked to the virus within the state. They also noted that the risk posed to human health remains low.

Since its emergence in 2021, the H5N1 strain has caused widespread mortality among wild birds and mammals, severely impacting poultry and dairy operations in various regions. In some instances, the virus has also infected farmworkers, underscoring its potential threat to both agriculture and human populations.

Australian officials continue to monitor the situation closely as the virus spreads through wildlife, aiming to mitigate risks to domestic animals and people.