Breaking: Deadly H5N1 bird flu strain detected in Victoria for first time

Posted Thu 30 Jul 2026 at 10:31amThu 30 Jul 2026 at 10:31am, updated Thu 30 Jul 2026 at 10:38amThu 30 Jul 2026 at 10:38amAvian influenza was first detected in Australian in a brown skua. (Supplied: Simon Gorta)The deadly H5N1 bird flu strain has reached Victoria after a positive test in a bird was detected in the state's south-west.Agriculture Victoria has confirmed the virus was detected in a greater crested tern found near Portland.Victoria's Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said further genetic testing was being conducted to formally confirm the result at the CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness at Geelong."Following weeks of enhanced readiness, we have now enacted Victoria's State Emergency Animal Disease Response Plan," Dr Cooke said."Based on international experience, this H5 variant differs from previous strains and has been known to cause large numbers of deaths in wild birds and some mammals."Our plans aim to limit impacts where possible, particularly on our most threatened species, while also supporting our farmers and reducing risk to domestic and commercial poultry."This week, local transmission of H5 bird flu occurred for the first time between a number of greater crested terns in South Australia.The strain was first detected in Australia in a brown skua discovered in the Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, about 700 kilometres south-east of Perth, in June.The virus has quickly spread across the southern coast through migratory birds, with a second case in Western Australia confirmed in a giant petrel.A third case was then confirmed in SA at Knights Beach, just a few hours drive from the Victorian border.Additional cases have since been confirmed in WA, SA, New South Wales, and Queensland.