H5 Bird Flu (Avian Influenza): What Western Australians Need to Know

Aug 4
8 min read

A quick guide for Western Australians and the food, fibre and timber industries.

Following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in wild birds in Australia, governments and industry have increased surveillance and preparedness activities. While the risk to people remains low and there have been no detections in Australian commercial poultry or livestock, H5N1 has important implications for wildlife, agriculture and Australia's biosecurity.

General Information about the New Bird Flu

What is H5 Bird Flu?

H5N1 is a subtype of avian influenza virus – or ‘bird flu’.
H5N1 has spread across many countries over recent years, affecting wild birds, poultry and some mammal species.
Australia detected H5N1 in wild birds for the first time in winter 2026.

Current situation

Industry and the community should be prepared but not alarmed.
Australia is one of the last places in the world to detect H5N1.
Recent detections have been in wild migratory birds.
Further detections are expected as surveillance continues.
Governments and industry have well-established preparedness and response plans.

Quick Facts
✔	Current risk to people remains low
✔	No evidence of spread into Australian poultry
✔	Cooked poultry, eggs and meat remain safe to eat
✔	Human-to-human spread has not been reported
✔	Australia has extensive surveillance and preparedness measures in place
✔	Report unusual illness or deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888)

I’ve heard of Bird Flu before - why is this different?

We’ve had avian influenza outbreaks before, most recently was the 2024/25 H7 virus that affected Australian poultry farms in some areas causing eggs shortages.
However, this strain of H5 bird flu is not the run of the mill Avian Influenza.
Unlike previous avian influenza outbreaks in Australia, the current H5N1 strain is already highly pathogenic and has spread widely through wild bird populations overseas.
It has also infected a wider range of mammal species overseas.

What are the main concerns about?

H5N1 has caused widespread outbreaks, sickness and death in wild birds, poultry and some mammal species overseas.
Because we cannot stop the movements of migratory birds, we cannot fully prevent the spread of H5 bird flu into and throughout Australia.
If it spreads to our meat and livestock, it could have significant impacts on animal health, food production and trade.

Clark, M. (2022). A flock of white birds flying over a body of water. Unsplash. CCB — Clark, M. (2022). *A flock of white birds flying over a body of water.* Unsplash. CCB

The risk to Wildlife

The risk to Australian Wildlife is very concerning. The Invasive Species Council reports “This is a genuine wildlife emergency, and it must be treated as such with emergency funding to increase efforts to protect wildlife populations,” … “There is a very good chance that the impact on Australia’s native wildlife will be even worse than it is in the northern hemisphere.”
Scientists are still learning how susceptible many Australian native species may be.

Got any good news?

H5 has not become established yet (meaning it has not become ‘endemic’ or commonly detected in animals). The detections so far have been in “vagrant” migratory seabirds - ones which we normally wouldn’t see on land unless sick or injured.
There have been no detections in poultry or livestock.
The risk to human health is very low
The poultry industry has been preparing for H5 with the government, and has good biosecurity controls in place to prevent the spread of H5.
Australia's geography and lower livestock densities may reduce transmission opportunities compared with some overseas regions.
According to current advice, properly cooked eggs, poultry and meat remain safe to eat.
The egg and meat industries have not been impacted by the recent detections, so these are still readily available to consumers.

Human Health

H5 bird flu is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can spread from animals to people.
However, transmission to people is very rare and usually only occurs after close contact with infected animals.
It is important that if you see sick or injured birds to call the hotline and do not approach or handle these birds.
Milk, eggs and poultry products remain safe to consume when handled and cooked according to normal food safety advice.

Follow Normal Food Safety Procedures

Cook meat and eggs thoroughly to temperature

Drink only pasteurized milk

Wash hands when handling eggs or meat

Do not eat weak, cracked or soiled eggs

How Does It Spread?

Signs of bird flu in animals

Birds	Dogs and cats
Unable to fly or reluctant to move	Fever
Breathing problems	Lethargy
Sudden death	Less appetite
Droopy, unusual postures	Sudden illness
Ruffled feathers	Red or inflamed eyes
Swelling or bruising	Coughing or sneezing

What do I do If I find a sick or dead bird?

If you suspect an animal is sick, or if you find a dead bird, do not touch or remove it, and call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888

DO	DON'T
✓ Keep your distance	✗ Touch birds
✓ Keep pets away	✗ Take birds home
✓ Record the location	✗ Allow pets to investigate
✓ Report sick or dead birds	✗ Dispose of birds yourself

Protecting Pets and Backyard Birds

If H5 bird flu becomes more widespread in Australia, here are a few ways you can keep your pets safe.

Keep your pets away from wildlife (for example by keeping your dog on a leash on walks where there are a lot of native birds)
Prevent cats from roaming and getting in contact with birds (by locking your cats inside at night or in a backyard enclosure).
Keep your pet water and food bowls away from birds and wildlife (move your water bowls inside or away from bird access in the back yard).
Regularly wash and change food and water bowls if outside.

How Harmful is H5 Bird Flu to different species?

Wild birds	🔴 High	Wild birds are the animals most affected by H5 bird flu worldwide. In Australia, H5N1 has been detected in migratory wild birds, with ongoing surveillance to monitor its spread.
Australian Wildlife	🔴 High (potentially)	Overseas, H5N1 has affected more than 560 bird species and over 100 mammal species. Scientists are still learning how susceptible Australian native species may be, and there is currently no evidence the virus has become established in native wildlife populations.
Poultry (chickens, ducks, turkeys)	🔴 High	H5N1 can spread rapidly through poultry flocks, causing severe illness and death. Australia has no detections in commercial poultry at this time.
Cats	🔴 High	Cats appear particularly susceptible if infected. Prevent cats from hunting or scavenging wild birds and keep food and water bowls away from wildlife.
Dogs	🟠 Low to moderate	Dogs can become infected but appear less susceptible than cats. Keep dogs away from sick or dead birds and avoid allowing them to investigate wildlife.
Pet birds, chickens	🔴 High	Keep birds separated from wild birds where possible, protect feed and water from contamination, clean enclosures regularly and quarantine new birds before introducing them to other birds.
People	🟡 Low	The current risk to people remains low. Human infections are uncommon and have generally occurred after close contact with infected animals. There is no evidence of sustained human-to-human transmission. Symptoms range from mild to severe.
Dairy cattle	🟡 Low	Australian risk assessments currently rate dairy cattle as low risk. Overseas cases have been linked to infected dairy herds. Continue good farm biosecurity practices..
Beef cattle	🟢 Negligible	Australian risk assessments currently consider beef cattle to be at negligible risk. Maintain good biosecurity and report any unusual illness.
Sheep and goats	🟢 Negligible	Australian risk assessments currently consider sheep and goats to be at negligible risk. Maintain good biosecurity and monitor livestock health.
Pigs	🟡 Low	Australian risk assessments currently rate pigs as low risk. Maintain good biosecurity and report any unusual illness.

Note: This table summarises the current situation in Australia based on official advice available in July 2026. Information may change as surveillance continues and more becomes known about H5 bird flu in Australia. Readers should refer to official government sources for the latest updates

Industry-Specific Information about Bird Flu

How is Government assisting in the H5 response?

WA's Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is leading the State response working in collaboration with Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions and the Department of Health, with national coordination led by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Australian federal and state governments have spent several years preparing for the arrival of H5N1 through surveillance, emergency response planning and industry engagement. Current activities include:
monitoring wildlife
testing suspect cases
emergency response planning
vaccine preparedness
industry engagement
public information.

Sporisevic Photography. (2025). A cockatoo in a page. Unsplash. CC BY.

Information for Veterinary Practices

Key messages

Be alert, not alarmed.
Review triage.
Isolate suspect animals where practical
Use PPE.
Minimise staff exposure.
Report suspect cases.
Continue treating wildlife where appropriate.
Stay updated through official sources.

How to Prepare your Veterinary Practice

Ensure there are appropriate procedures in place to handle sick or dead birds.
If your practice is no longer allowing birds to visit the practice, make sure this is clearly communicated.
Veterinary Clinics should regularly check for updates from the AVA website with guidance and updates about H5 bird flu

Links to all resources can be found on Avian influenza: Resources and FAQs. Government of Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.

Information for Poultry Farmers

Current situation

There have been no detections of H5N1 in Australian commercial poultry. However, poultry producers should remain vigilant and maintain strong biosecurity practices.

What producers can do

Review your farm biosecurity plan regularly.
Prevent contact between poultry and wild birds where practical.
Protect feed and water from contamination.
Restrict unnecessary visitors.
Clean and disinfect equipment and vehicles.
Monitor birds daily for signs of illness.
Report unusual illness or deaths immediately.

Information for Livestock Producers

Current Australian risk assessments indicate that:

Dairy cattle	🟡 Low risk
Beef cattle	🟢 Negligible
Sheep and goats	🟢 Negligible
Pigs	🟡 Low risk

While current risk is considered low, producers should continue maintaining good farm biosecurity and remain alert for any unusual illness.

Producers can prepare by:

reviewing farm biosecurity plans
limiting livestock contact with wild birds where practical
protecting feed and water sources
monitoring livestock health
reporting unusual disease events promptly.

Official Information Sources

For everyone

Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. Australian Centre for Disease Control.
Avian Influenza. DPIRD. (WA Information)
Bird flu (avian influenza). Australian Centre for Disease Control. Public health guidance to protect against H5 bird flu. (National information)

Veterinary resources

National H5 HPAI Guideline for Veterinarians. Animal Health Committee.
High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Hub. Australian Veterinary Association.
Vets and bird flu – Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza - WA Veterinarian webinar - June 2026.
Avian influenza webinar for Western Australian veterinarians – Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. 11 February 2025
AVA Guidelines for Veterinary Personal Biosecurity & PPE.
HPAI Risk Mitigation Toolbox for Wildlife Care Providers. Wildlife Health Australia.
National Wildlife Biosecurity Guidelines. Wildlife Health Australia,
CDNA national guidelines for avian influenza – protecting people who work with birds and wildlife. Australian Centre for Disease Control.
Bird flu toolkit for people who work with birds. Australian Centre for Disease Control.

Poultry and livestock

National Farm Biosecurity Manual - Poultry Production. Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Poultry biosecurity. Government of Western Australia Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
DAFF Updates and Poultry Post. Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
National Water Biosecurity Manual - Poultry Production. Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Bird flu toolkit for people who work with birds. Australian Centre for Disease Control.
Read the Risk assessment of H5 bird flu in Australian dairy cattle, pigs, sheep and goats.

Disclaimer:

The information included in this article was based on the sources below and is up to date as of its publication on 16^th July, 2026. Information and advice may change over time so always rely on official government sources of information