The deadly H5N1 bird flu virus has reached mainland Australia for the first time, ending the nation’s status as the only continent free of the strain and triggering fresh warnings about pandemic preparedness.
Two wild migratory birds were found sick at Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance on 14 June in Western Australia’s south, with the same subtype (clade 2.3.4.4b) responsible for mass mortality in poultry, sea mammals and wild birds globally.
Professor Paul Griffin, director of Infectious Diseases at Mater Health Services, said the current threat to humans remained very low, but boosting flu vaccination rates could minimise the likelihood of co-infection with influenza and bird flu.
While human-to-human transmission of bird flu is extremely rare, co-infection with human influenza can mutate into a strain that is easily transmissible between people, resulting in a new, serious infection that could pose a pandemic risk.
“It’s a timely reminder about the importance of seasonal flu vaccination,” he said.
According to the National Centre for Immunisation Research and Surveillance, influenza vaccination coverage in Australia has fallen from 45.6% in June 2020 to 26.2% in June 2026.
While those over 65 years have a 56.5% national coverage rate for flu vaccinations, those aged 12 to under 18 have only an 11% national coverage rate to date in 2026.
Professor Griffin said the largest impact, if the disease spread, would likely be on the poultry supply.
However, provided contaminated chicken meat and eggs are properly cooked, people cannot become infected with the bird flu.
“The majority of the human cases [of H5N1 virus] we’ve seen have been in people that work with birds in some significant capacity,” he said.
This included contact with bird faeces and slaughtering, de-feathering or butchering infected birds, he said.
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Professor Griffin said those working in the commercial poultry industry would have a high degree of awareness regarding the virus.
The federal government has invested more than $113 million to strengthen bird flu preparedness, including $37 million for an HPAI taskforce, and to improve national coordination in safeguarding Australian agriculture.
“In terms of early surveillance, we’re asking people to be on the lookout for sick and dead birds,” Professor Griffin said.
Common signs of bird flu in wild birds include an inflamed appearance, difficulty breathing, inability to fly, or sudden death.
Human symptoms of bird flu can vary from mild to severe, with symptoms appearing one to 10 days after infection.
Professor Griffin advised avoiding touching or taking sick animals into care.
Suspected cases should be reported immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 657 888.
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