Scientists living on a remote sub-Antarctic research base are told to evacuate over a potential outbreak of a highly contagious bird flu

READ MORE: Bird flu vaccine rolled out as experts warn of outbreak 'tsunami'See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 09:10 EDT, 28 August 2026 | Updated: 09:19 EDT, 28 August 2026 The idea of scientists being evacuated from a remote base over a potential disease outbreak might sound like the plot from a Hollywood blockbuster. But for workers on Macquarie Island, it has become a reality.This island lies halfway between Tasmania and the Antarctic, and is not only home to a research station, but also thousands of elephant seals. These huge creatures are highly susceptible to H5N1 – a highly contagious avian influenza.As it stands, no cases have been detected on the island. But with breeding season set to take place from September to November, officials have decided to take proactive measures and evacuate the base. 'While the risk to humans of H5 bird flu is considered low, we can't ignore the psychosocial risks of living near potentially large numbers of affected animals,' said Sean Sullivan, deputy secretary at Canberra's Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.'Our expeditioners already live and work in one of the world's most remote and challenging environments. It is important that we minimise any additional risks that could affect their wellbeing and the safe operation of our stations.' The idea of scientists being evacuated from a remote base over a potential disease outbreak might sound like the plot from a Hollywood blockbuster. But for workers on Macquarie Island, it has become a reality This island lies halfway between Tasmania and the Antarctic, and is not only home to a research station, but also thousands of elephant seals. These huge creatures are highly susceptible to H5N1 – a highly contagious avian influenza Macquarie's 24 tradespeople, scientists and support staff will be evacuated on the RSV Nuyina icebreaker in September or early October, the environment ministry said.Officials in June reported thousands of elephant seal pups had died of bird flu on another remote Australian territory, the Heard and McDonald Islands.The country was for years the only continental landmass free of the H5 strain, which has caused severe disease and death in poultry and wild birds worldwide.As of Friday, authorities have reported 341 confirmed or presumed positive cases of H5 bird flu in Australia.There have been no cases detected in poultry or in the country's agriculture production.However, the Australian government has announced the rollout of a bird flu vaccine as fears grow the native birdlife population could be decimated by the outbreak. One in five mammal and bird species in Australia are on a bird flu 'doom list' published by the federal environment department, Invasive Species Council chief executive Jack Gough said on Tuesday.'We have a tsunami about to break over them from this H5N1 bird flu,' he said. Macquarie's 24 tradespeople, scientists and support staff will be evacuated on the RSV Nuyina icebreaker in September or early October, the environment ministry said'We are not going to be able to stop bird flu ripping through our wildlife populations and that's going to be devastating.'Mr Gough raised the alarm at Parliament House and said the federal government was not prepared, hours after the agriculture minister announced the rollout of a vaccine to curb the deadly virus.There will be 1500 vaccine vials – worth about $2million – rolled out in a bid to stop the further spread of the strain, Julie Collins said.'Australians should expect to see more spread and larger numbers, particularly of dead birds and mass mortalities around the country from the H5 bird flu,' Ms Collins told reporters in Canberra.'We have been very clear that this will continue to spread across the country.'