Avian Influenza H5 Update

 

Updated 8 August 2026

Industry note: High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5N1 -
First mass mortality of flu in SA

 

Current situation

• Total confirmed cases of H5N1 is 175 (7 Aug)

  • 10 in Western Australia (WA)

  • 119 in South Australia (SA) 

  • 2 in New South Wales (NSW)

  • 1 in Queensland (QLD)

  • 43 in Victoria (VIC)

• If unusual deaths or illness in wild birds are observed please AVOID contact, RECORD by taking photos or video and REPORT immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline on 1800 675 888.

• Growers are encouraged to take precautionary measures and ensure all biosecurity requirements are upheld. Further information on poultry biosecurity can be found at: Poultry and livestock farmers and bird flu - DAFF

What’s being done in NSW

• NSW DPIRD is currently undertaking a response to H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) after positive detections of positive cases of H5 bird flu in a in migratory seabirds.

• NSWPGC and NSWDPIRD are collaborating to bring to farmers information sessions across NSW - further details will be posted here.

• NSW has detected 2 positive cases of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) strain. Both cases were in Goant Petrels on Bennetts Beach near Hawks Nest.

• Bird flu was first confirmed in NSW on the 4 July 2026.

• There remain no detections in poultry and no evidence of large-scale mortalities in any animals

• Active surveillance is being conducted in the area around the detection site and high-risk areas utilising specialist capability across DPIRD, Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and National Parks and Wildlife Service, including use of boats and drones

• The Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) is leading national coordination across all states and territories.

 

Further information

• The situation remains dynamic and the Australian Government will provide updates on the current situation at birdflu.gov.au.

  • National coordination is being led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Regular updates will be made available at birdflu.gov.au.

 

Please reach out to NSWPGC if you have any questions regarding how we can help you.​