Following confirmation on 24 June 2026 of South Australia’s first case of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1), found in a migratory bird at Knights Beach, SA Health has issued updated guidance for medical practitioners and cleaning and facilities teams working near affected sites. The detection marks a significant expansion of the virus’ reach within Australia, following its first confirmed appearance in the country in early June.
Western Australia detection started the chain
Having been confirmed in a brown skua found in Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, Western Australia recorded the nation’s first case of the H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b strain, with a suspected second infection identified in a southern giant petrel at the same site. Samples were sent to CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmation, marking the first time this particular H5 subtype had been detected in an animal anywhere in Australia.
Agriculture Victoria has confirmed that cases have now been recorded in migratory seabirds along the southern coast of Western Australia, along with the one in South Australia, while reiterating that there are currently no detections in Victoria. Notably, there remain no confirmed cases in poultry anywhere in the country, and authorities continue to describe the risk to humans as low.
Implications for facilities and cleaning teams
Given that human infection generally occurs through direct contact with secretions, faeces or contaminated surfaces from infected birds, facilities managers overseeing sites near waterways, coastal reserves or wildlife habitats should remain alert to reports of sick or dead birds. SA Health has reminded the public that the virus is not spread through the consumption of properly cooked poultry meat or eggs, and that human to human transmission remains rare.
Reporting and biosecurity advice
Medical practitioners are being urged to use standard and transmission-based precautions when assessing suspected cases, while members of the public are advised against handling or moving sick or dead birds. Suspected avian influenza in poultry should be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, and any clinical concerns directed to South Australia’s Communicable Disease Control Branch on 1300 232 272.
With detections now confirmed in two states within a matter of weeks, biosecurity and cleaning bodies across Australia are being encouraged to review protocols for sites with bird activity, particularly as wild bird surveillance, coordinated nationally by Wildlife Health Australia, continues to monitor the situation.
