New South Wales has become the third Australian state to record a confirmed case of H5N1 bird flu, after a migratory seabird discovered near a coastal town tested positive for the highly pathogenic virus.
Australia made history last month as the last continent to confirm a mainland H5N1 case. The virus had previously been detected in late 2025 on the sub-Antarctic territory of Heard Island, which sits roughly 4,100 kilometers — about 2,600 miles — from the Australian mainland.
The latest confirmation brings the total number of infections across the country to six cases spanning three states. The infected bird, a giant petrel, was found near the seaside community of Hawks Nest in New South Wales, which is Australia’s most populated state.
The H5 strain of bird flu has resulted in the slaughter of hundreds of millions of birds around the world over the past several years, straining food supplies and pushing prices higher. Infections in humans remain uncommon.
State Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty confirmed the significance of the find, stating, “The positive test is the first confirmed detection of H5 in New South Wales.”
Moriarty also moved to reassure the public, saying there is “no evidence of spread to local wildlife and H5 bird flu has not been detected in commercial poultry flocks, captive birds or any other birds in New South Wales.” She added, “There is no impact on the supply of chicken meat or eggs and I would encourage everyone to purchase these products as they normally would.”
The state government has activated a response plan that includes expanded monitoring efforts and the deployment of additional personnel to assist the agricultural industry, Moriarty said.
Since avian flu reached the Australian mainland, officials nationwide have stepped up surveillance and testing of both wildlife and livestock. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has pledged that his Labor government will take every available measure to prevent the virus from spreading further.
