Tasmania is Waiting for Bird Flu to Arrive

By Bec Pridham

Topic: Avian Influenza

Monday, 3 Aug 2026, at 3:17 pm

A brown skua bird had the first case of the H5 bird flu on the Australian mainland.

In short:

The H5 bird flu is spreading across Australia, causing many deaths.

Tasmania has not found any bird flu cases, but officials think it will arrive soon.

What's next?

Tasmania's team is watching the coast and asking people to report sick or dead birds.

Tasmania is waiting for the bird flu to arrive, and officials say it is not a matter of if, but when.

The H5 bird flu has killed many birds and animals around the world.

Since June, the bird flu has been found in wild birds in most parts of Australia, except Tasmania.

Researchers are also worried about the bird flu affecting native animals in Australia.

Australia has had its first big case of bird flu deaths in South Australia.

The federal agriculture minister said this was not a surprise, but it is still sad.

As more cases are found, Tasmania's officials think the bird flu will arrive soon.

The department of natural resources is working hard to prepare for the bird flu.

Officials are asking people to stay calm and be ready for the bird flu.

No one knows where the bird flu will first be found in Tasmania.

The bird flu will likely be found in birds like crested terns and brown skuas.

The incident team is watching the beaches and using drones to look for sick birds.

But officials need people to report sick or dead birds to help them.

People can use their phones to report sick or dead birds and tell where they are.

Symptoms of the bird flu include swimming in circles, coughing, and sneezing.

Deborah McSweyn is asking people to report cases of sick and dead birds.

Other animals can have seizures, tremors, and breathing problems if they get the bird flu.

As of Monday, there were 324 reports of sick or dead birds in Tasmania.

To report sick or dead birds, people can use an online form.

There are different forms for domestic birds, wild birds, and other animals.

If people are worried about their pets, they should talk to a veterinarian.

Tasmanian Aboriginal communities are helping to watch for the bird flu.

At Little Musselroe Bay, rangers are doing more beach clean-ups to look for sick birds.

The rangers think it will be hard to keep up with the work of watching for the bird flu.

The Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre has 45 rangers ready to help across the state.

The bird flu could affect the cultural practice of harvesting mutton birds.

Muttonbirding is a significant cultural practice for Aboriginal people.

Challenge for farmers

Tasmania's response team is working with poultry farmers to prepare for the bird flu.

But it is hard for free-range farmers to protect their birds from the bird flu.

One farmer, Paul Hallier, is worried about the bird flu affecting his ducks.

Wild birds can fly over the farm and spread the bird flu.

The farmer is taking steps to reduce the risk of the bird flu, like not leaving food out.

The farmer will inform authorities if he sees any sick or dying birds.

If the bird flu is found on the farm, it may need to be closed, and birds may need to be culled.

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