Bird flu infects seal as outbreak spreads to all six states

Since the first confirmed case of the highly pathogenic H5 bird flu on the Australian mainland on 20 June, the outbreak has now rapidly spread to all six states. 

As of 4pm AEST, 31 August 2026, Australia has 446 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

South Australia remains the most affected state, with 194 events recorded.

Fur seal is first mammal case

Australia confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a mammal, with the virus detected in a long-nosed fur seal found dead at the coastal town of Beachport in South Australia. 

The seal was found with no signs of injury and was reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline by a member of the public. 

Federal Agriculture Minister, Julie Collins, said the seal's death, "does not appear to be associated with other sick or dead marine mammals". 

Threat to local eggs and poultry products

To date, Australia's commercial poultry and egg production remain unaffected, with no detections of H5 bird flu in the agricultural system. 

The operations manager of Tamarix Poultry Farm, Tim Sutton, said his farm has not been directly affected by the outbreak. 

However, he acknowledged the reality of the threat.

“In Australia, it’s been a matter of when, not if, for the last five years – that migratory birds will bring it into Australia.” 

Sutton said his operation is currently running normally. 

A previous outbreak of a different bird flu strain (H7) in 2024–25 led to the culling of 1.8 million birds and caused widespread egg shortages across the country. 

With the H5 strain now circulating among wild bird populations—including resident species such as seagulls that frequently come into contact with human environments—the risk of spillover into commercial poultry flocks has increased.

To mitigate the risk, the farms have made significant capital investments. 

“We’ve got a biosecurity wash station,” Sutton said, "[and] locking things down” with laundering practices and biosecurity declarations. 

He described these measures as “more of an insurance policy”.

Sutton said they are still essential to “keep your staff safe from the psychological impact” and protect the business “from going through that disruption.”

“Eggs are safe… No matter what, don’t worry about it. Don’t panic buy. Just don’t panic," Sutton said.

Latest developments in the outbreak

On 20 August, South Australian Premier, Peter Malinauskas, told state parliament that surveillance teams had identified three separate mass mortality events on remote islands off the South Australian coast, involving more than 1000 crested terns. 

The affected locations include North Page Island and South Page Island near Kangaroo Island, as well as Troubridge Island near the Yorke Peninsula. 

The first case of H5 bird flu in Victoria was confirmed in Portland on 30 June. 

Since then, the epidemic has spread rapidly. 

As of 23 August, Victoria has recorded 86 events, making it the second most affected state in Australia. 

Victoria is the first Australian state to impose a mandatory lockdown on the poultry industry, requiring farmers in southern coastal areas who house more than 50 birds to keep their poultry indoors. 

On 21 August, this measure was extended for at least 28 days. 

During this period, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has allowed farmers to continue using the "free-range" label for up to 90 days. 

Virus spreads to resident bird species

The outbreak initially affected migratory coastal seabirds. 

However, experts say the virus is no longer confined to migratory species and has begun to affect Australian resident wild bird populations and may have entered transmission networks among local birds. 

The infection of resident species, such as silver gulls, is particularly concerning, given their wide-ranging movements, which increase the risk of viral spread across bird populations. 

Although the impact of H5 bird flu on bird populations is significant, its effect on humans remains minimal. 

The Health Department advises the public to stay away from sick or dead birds and wild animals, and to maintain good hygiene practices.

Government pledges $113 million for prevention

The federal government has provided funding to support states in rolling out targeted vaccination for high-risk endangered species. 

The government has allocated more than $47 million towards H5 bird flu preventive measures, including $7.1 million for risk analysis, monitoring, and decision support tools for high-risk species. A further $35.9 million will also be allocated for measures such as protection planning for endangered wild animals, threat response, and captive protection.

An additional $11.2 million will be invested in the 2026-27 fiscal year, as part of the government's overall commitment of $113 million towards H5 bird flu monitoring, prevention and response capabilities. 

Another $2.15 million of government funding aims to support the environmental departments of each state and territory in formulating wildlife protection plans for specific locations and species. 

The government said these plans will be updated according to the dynamic development of the epidemic.