Australia has recorded its first-ever detection of the H5N1 bird flu strain, marking a major development that means the highly contagious virus has now been confirmed on every continent.
The country’s agriculture ministry confirmed the finding after the virus was identified in a migratory seabird, a brown skua, in a remote part of Western Australia.
According to Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, the infected bird was discovered on a beach at Cape Le Grand National Park, near Esperance, roughly 700 kilometres south-east of Perth.
Authorities noted that Australia had previously been the only continent free from the H5N1 strain, which is known for spreading rapidly among wild birds and poultry populations.
While human infections remain rare, officials stressed that the virus poses significant risks to animal populations, particularly migratory species that travel across continents.
Collins said the government had long anticipated such a development, adding that there was no evidence of widespread animal deaths linked to the virus at this stage.
A second suspected case involving a southern petrel found exhausted on a nearby beach is also being investigated, although officials have not confirmed infection.
Meanwhile, Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer said emergency animal disease response teams had already been activated and preparations had been in place for some time.
