By Sandra Kenneth
Australia’s long-standing status as the only continent free from the deadly H5 avian influenza virus has come to an end, following confirmation that the strain is now actively spreading among local wild bird populations.
The nation’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Beth Cookson, confirmed on Wednesday that testing revealed local transmission among greater crested terns along the South Australian coast.
“This news of some local transmission may mean we start to see wider spread among wild birds,” Cookson told reporters. “Once the virus becomes widespread in wild bird populations, it will not be possible to avoid losses in susceptible wildlife.”
She added that while the development is concerning, it was not entirely unexpected given the shared coastal habitats of these species.
Wildlife at Risk
The virus was first detected in Australia in June after being found in a migratory seabird, prompting scientists to warn that local transmission was inevitable. The national science laboratory confirmed seven new cases in South Australian tern populations this week, bringing the total number of positive detections across the country to 27.
Species most vulnerable to the strain include seabirds, shorebirds, waterfowl, and birds of prey. Beyond bird populations, the global spread of H5 has also impacted marine mammals and domestic animals, including cats, pigs, goats, and alpacas.
Conservationists are deeply concerned about the potential impact on Australia’s unique ecosystems. Nearly half of the country’s wild bird species and 83% of its mammals exist nowhere else on Earth. The ecological threat was underscored in June, when Australian scientists confirmed the virus had killed over 13,000 elephant seal pups in a breeding colony on the remote Heard and McDonald Islands.
Tourism Suspended, Health Risks Low
Authority response has been swift. Four suspected cases were reported Wednesday on Kangaroo Island—a key South Australian tourism hub home to an endangered population of sea lions. In response, South Australia’s Minister for Primary Industries, Clare Scriven, announced an immediate suspension of beach tours to help protect local wildlife.
Despite the environmental threat, federal officials emphasized that human and agricultural risks remain minimal.
Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins stated there is currently “no evidence of mass mortalities” and reassured the public that the virus poses little risk to human health. She also confirmed that Australia’s commercial poultry industry remains completely unaffected.
Authorities continue to monitor coastal habitats and wild bird populations closely as national response protocols take effect.
