Avian Influenza H5 Update

 

Updated 8 August 2026

Industry note: High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5N1 -
NSW Growers on alert

 

Current situation

• Total confirmed cases of H5N1 is 551 (16 September)

  • 10 in Western Australia (WA)
    299 in South Australia (SA)
    32 in New South Wales (NSW)
    2 in Queensland (QLD)
    169 in Victoria (VIC)
    38 in Tasmania (TAS)
    1 in Other Territories*
    * Jervis Bay Territory (Commonwealth jurisdiction)
     

Control orders are in place

• If unusual deaths or illness in wild birds are observed please AVOID contact, RECORD by taking photos or video and REPORT immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline on 1800 675 888.

• Growers are encouraged to take precautionary measures and ensure all biosecurity requirements are upheld. Further information on poultry biosecurity can be found at: Poultry and livestock farmers and bird flu - DAFF

 

NSW Update

NSW DPIRD is currently undertaking a response to H5 bird flu after positive detections 
in migratory seabirds, with a State Coordination Centre in Orange. 

 

NSW has confirmed 40 positive H5 bird flu events in wildlife (locations shown in Figure 

 

New positive events since last industry update on the 31 August, include

• Crested terns in Dolphin Point, Warriewood, Port Kembla, Batemans Bay, 

• Broulee, Eden, Dee Why Beach, Goulburn, Hawkes Nest, Woy Woy, Bulli, 

• Malabar, Kiama, Berry. Port Botany, Forster, Milton, Cronulla

• Huttons shearwater at Corindi Beach,

• Silver Gulls at Vincentia and Moruya

• White-fronted tern at Merimbula and Congo.

• Myna at Berry

 

What’s being done in NSW

• NSWPGC and NSWDPIRD are collaborating to bring to farmers information sessions across NSW - further details will be posted here.

• The NSW Government works with the Australian Government, industry, wildlife organisations and communities to:

  • monitor and investigate detections in wild birds

  • strengthen biosecurity and preparedness across NSW

  • support disease surveillance and laboratory testing

  • provide advice to industry, animal owners and communities

  • coordinate response activities if further detections occur.

• Strong biosecurity, disease monitoring and prompt reporting remain important tools for helping protect animals, industries and communities. 

 

Further information

• The situation remains dynamic and the Australian Government will provide updates on the current situation at birdflu.gov.au.

  • National coordination is being led by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF). Regular updates will be made available at birdflu.gov.au.

 

Please reach out to NSWPGC if you have any questions regarding how we can help you.​