A sick migratory bird found in southern Western Australia has tested positive for avian influenza and later died, Australia's federal agriculture minister Julie Collins confirmed. The brown skua, a subantarctic species, was discovered at Cape Le Grand national park on Sunday, with the WA government announcing the news on Friday. A second bird, a giant petrel, is also sick and undergoing testing.
First suspected H5N1 case on mainland Australia
Initial testing at a WA laboratory returned a suspected positive result for avian influenza, Collins said. Samples have been sent to the CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmation, with results expected on Saturday. Collins held meetings with state and territory agencies and industry experts on Friday, with further briefings planned for Saturday.
“There is no evidence of any mass mortality at this time. Nor is there any evidence of infection in poultry,” she said. “If it is confirmed to be the H5 bird flu, this will be sobering but not unexpected, given the spread globally.”
Collins reminded the public not to touch sick or dead birds or other animals, and to report sightings to the emergency animal disease hotline (1800 675 888) or birdflu.gov.au.
Expert concerns over potential devastation
WA agriculture minister Jackie Jarvis said the brown skua was found unwell on Cape Le Grand beach on June 14 and subsequently died. “Appropriate action, including isolating the bird, was taken and samples collected for testing.” The second sick giant petrel was also found in the same area.
“In recent years, H5 bird flu has spread fast around the world, causing severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and affected mammals,” Jarvis said. “If this is a confirmed H5 bird incursion, there will be a rapid and coordinated national response.”
Dr Carol Booth, policy director with the Invasive Species Council, said the detection is deeply concerning given the devastating impacts of the virus on wildlife globally. “We desperately hope this is not the realisation of our worst dreams. The recently reported mass deaths of elephant seals on Heard Island were a harbinger of the potential catastrophe for Australian wildlife if the virus has made it to mainland Australia.”
Booth noted that if H5N1 is confirmed, the government's own risk assessment predicts potentially catastrophic impacts on native birds, while the virus's increasing ability to infect mammals raises the prospect of severe impacts on marine mammals and other wildlife.
Preparedness and response
Booth said it was a good thing that Australian governments have spent the past two years preparing for the arrival of the deadly strain, but a mainland detection would be a critical test of Australia's preparedness and response systems. “Even if this is a false alarm, it warns against any complacency. Australia needs to be ready at any time with clear response plans.”
Birdlife Australia's chief executive, Kate Millar, said the development was highly concerning. The organisation's scientists and grassroots members have worked with governments to increase monitoring and train people in reporting and responding appropriately. Birdlife has also helped model possible entry points for the deadly H5N1 strain, including from subantarctic islands or from birds migrating from Asia.
Millar called on the government to ensure that BirdLife Australia's expertise is part of discussions around this suspected case. She expressed concern about the effects on Heard Island, where mass mortality of southern elephant seal pups and hundreds of dead adult king penguins were observed during scientific voyages in 2025 and 2026.
