Dr Beth Cookson, Australian Chief Veterinary Officer, Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Media Release, 8 July 2026

Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has confirmed H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (bird flu) in a sample taken from a giant petrel found near Hardwicke Bay, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. 

This is the eighth detection or presumed positive result of H5 bird flu in migratory seabirds.

The South Australian Government today also reported two further suspected positive cases of H5 bird flu in two giant petrels. Samples returned initial positive test results at the state government laboratory, and will now be sent to CSIRO’s ACDP for confirmatory testing. 

There remains no evidence of any mass mortality events and there are no detections in poultry or in our agricultural production system.

The risk to human health remains low. 

If you see sick or dead birds or other animals, do not touch them. Avoid contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia. 

Poultry producers are reminded that on-farm biosecurity practices are crucial to protect the health of their flocks. 

For more information, visit: birdflu.gov.au.