Australia Confirms Local Spread of H5 Bird Flu

Avian Influenza

Wednesday, 29 July 2026, at 10:43 am

Wednesday, 29 July 2026, at 5:03 pm

A type of bird called the greater crested tern has been found with H5 bird flu in South Australia.

In short:

The government says some birds in South Australia have given the H5 bird flu to other birds.

There is no sign of many birds dying, but the flu is expected to spread among wild birds.

What's next?

The authorities will try to stop the flu from spreading to farm animals and birds, but they do not think it is a big risk to humans.

The government has confirmed that the H5 bird flu is spreading between birds in South Australia.

This is the first time the flu has been found to be spreading between birds in Australia.

Eleven greater crested terns in South Australia have been found with the H5 bird flu, and the samples have been sent for further testing.

There are now 27 confirmed cases of the H5 bird flu in Australia, with 14 in South Australia, 10 in Western Australia, 2 in New South Wales, and 1 in Queensland.

The Chief Veterinary Officer says the flu is spreading between birds in Australia.

The type of flu found in Australian birds is different from the type found in birds from other parts of the world.

The flu has not been found in farm animals or birds, and the risk to humans is low.

The government expects to find more cases of the flu in Australian birds.

Farmers have been told to take steps to protect their birds from the flu, but the decision to keep birds indoors is up to the states and territories.

The government will decide whether to keep birds indoors based on the location and the number of cases.

Live Moment

People are looking back at how they responded to the news of the bird flu.

Wednesday, 29 July 2026, at 4:08 pm

The Federal Agriculture Minister and the Chief Veterinary Officer have finished answering questions from reporters.

The main point from their talk was about the bird flu.

Wednesday, 29 July 2026, at 4:02 pm

The minister was asked if farmers would have to kill their birds to stop the flu from spreading.

The minister did not give a clear answer.

The minister said there was no sign of the flu in farm animals or birds, and farmers should follow the advice from their states and territories.

The minister told farmers to keep an eye on the local advice about protecting their birds.

Wednesday, 29 July 2026, at 3:59 pm

The minister was asked if the confirmation of the flu spreading between birds would lead to more protection measures for farm birds.

The minister said the decision to keep birds indoors would be made by the states and territories.

The minister said the decision would be based on the location and the number of cases.

South Australia expects to find more cases of the flu.

New suspected cases have been found in the South East and on Kangaroo Island.

Some of the suspected cases were found in the South East, and some were found on Kangaroo Island.

The suspected cases on Kangaroo Island were found at Seal Bay and D'Estrees Bay.

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