Australia has confirmed the first detection of the highly contagious H5 bird flu virus in a native seabird, marking a significant development in the country’s efforts to monitor and contain the disease.
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Laboratory testing identified the virus in a greater crested tern found in the coastal town of Robe in South Australia. The announcement was made by Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, who described the finding as concerning but not unexpected given recent detections among migratory seabirds.
Since June, Australia has confirmed 12 cases of H5 bird flu, all involving migratory seabirds. The latest case is the first recorded infection in a native Australian seabird, raising concerns about the virus spreading into local wildlife populations.
Despite the detection, Collins said there is currently no evidence of widespread bird deaths linked to the virus in Australia. She also emphasized that authorities have found no signs of transmission to poultry, livestock or agricultural systems, and the current risk to public health remains low.
Scientists are investigating how the virus infected the greater crested tern. Officials believe the bird’s coastal habitat overlaps with migratory seabirds that previously tested positive for H5, making contact between species a possible route of transmission.
The South Australian government has launched enhanced surveillance around the area where the infected bird was discovered. Wildlife experts and veterinary authorities are monitoring nearby bird populations to detect any further spread of the virus.
The development has renewed concerns for Australia’s unique biodiversity, with many native bird and mammal species found nowhere else in the world. Experts have warned that H5 bird flu has caused significant losses among wild birds and marine mammals globally.
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Earlier this year, scientists reported that the virus killed more than 13,000 elephant seal pups on Australia’s remote Heard and McDonald Islands, highlighting the potential impact of the disease on vulnerable wildlife populations.