Australia reports second H5N1 bird flu case in migratory seabird

Australia has reported its second case of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu, this time in a migratory seabird in Western Australia. The discovery follows the confirmation of the first case over the weekend, prompting the government to intensify efforts to control the virus's spread.

The latest affected animal, a northern giant petrel, was found sick on a remote beach near the coastal town of Esperance. This is the same region where the initial case, a brown skua, was identified. Agriculture Minister Julie Collins stated that the government is working closely with the poultry industry to bolster biosecurity measures and prevent the virus from reaching commercial flocks.

“

We’re working very closely with both the chicken, meat and the egg poultry system and industries to do everything that we can do and improve biosecurity, and those systems and those areas to stop it from getting into those production systems.

While human infections remain rare, the global spread of avian influenza has significantly impacted poultry populations, disrupted food supplies, and driven up prices. Australia had previously been the only continent without a confirmed mainland case, though the virus was detected on its sub-Antarctic territory in late 2025. In response, the country has strengthened farm biosecurity, increased testing of shorebirds, and conducted response simulations. Poultry producer Inghams announced it would implement a complete lockdown across its Western Australia farms and processing sites as a precautionary measure, emphasizing that no commercial poultry have been affected.

“

Can we do that forever? We don’t know the answer to that, that is a hypothetical.