Avian influenza
Current situation
On 24 June 2026, South Australia recorded its first confirmed case of H5 bird flu. This is the first time this strain has been detected in South Australia.
Active wildlife surveillance has been underway across South Australia since the beginning of the response. Trained field teams are monitoring wildlife by helicopter, drone, vehicle, boat and on foot across a range of environments to support early detection and guide the ongoing response.
PIRSA continues to coordinate South Australia's response in partnership with agriculture, environment and health agencies across South Australia and Australia to support surveillance, preparedness and emergency animal disease response activities,
H5 bird flu is a serious and highly contagious disease that primarily affects birds and can also affect some mammals. This is the first time this strain has been detected in Australia and has the potential to affect agricultural industries, wildlife and the national economy.
H5 bird flu alert
If you notice sick or dead birds or other animals, you should not touch them. If it is safe to do so, take photos or a video, record the location and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline at 1800 675 888.
The EAD Hotline is staffed by PIRSA 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
About bird flu
Avian influenza (AI), also known as 'bird flu', is a virus that causes high numbers of deaths in poultry, wild birds, and some mammals. Occasional infections have been detected in humans.
See Bird flu (avian influenza) on the SA Health website for information about H5 bird flu in humans.
The virus is classed into 2 types, depending on its severity in poultry:
- low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) – less disease and can readily mutate into HPAI (this is called a spillover event)
- high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) – more disease with mortality rates up to 100% possible.
LPAI can sometimes mutate into HPAI (this is called a spillover event).
H5 bird flu is a highly contagious type of HPAI – H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b – which has spread quickly around the world.
Overseas, H5 bird flu has caused severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and some mammals.
Birds can spread the virus to each other through their saliva, poo and mucus from their noses and mouths.
Healthy birds can catch it through contact with sick birds or contaminated water, food, soil or surfaces.
Sometimes other animals become infected by eating sick or dead birds, or by being in close contact with them.
Human infection with bird flu is rare. See Bird flu (avian influenza) on the SA Health website for information about H5 bird flu in humans.
H5 bird flu is different to the H7 strain of bird flu that was recorded in poultry in Australia in 2024 and 2025. All outbreaks of H7 bird flu were successfully eradicated.
Signs of H5 bird flu
H5 bird flu can be confused with many other diseases that have similar signs. The infection can also vary in severity with some animals appearing very sick and others showing no signs at all. Sometimes birds can die suddenly without warning.
Common signs of bird flu in animals
Birds (pet or wild)
- can’t stand, walk, or fly properly
- droopy or puffed-up appearance
- breathing problems (panting or sneezing)
- unusual head or neck posture
- sudden death (especially in large numbers)
Poultry (chickens, ducks, etc.)
- sudden drop in egg production
- lethargy or not eating/drinking
- swollen head or limbs
- bruising on comb, feet, or skin
- breathing issues or runny nose
- sudden death
Mammals (seals, cows, dogs, cats, etc.)
- weakness or tiredness
- trouble walking or breathing
- seizures, tremors or walking in circles
- drooling or runny nose
- sudden illness or death
When to report
Early detection is critical and South Australians are encouraged to remain vigilant.
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.
All reports to the hotline are logged and triaged. Where there is a suspicion of H5 bird flu, teams are deployed to collect samples from the animal.
| Commercial poultry | Backyard poultry (50 birds or less) | Wild birds and animals |
|---|---|---|
| Either: | Any: | Any: |
| more deaths above baseline mortalities within a week | 2 or more sick or dead birds with or having had clinical signs including neurological, respiratory or generalised weakness | sick or dead birds or other animals |
| drop in egg production, with or without respiratory signs | 5 or more deaths in a short time (mass mortality) |
Reducing risks
Good biosecurity is critical at all times to protect poultry flocks from disease.
All poultry owners must have biosecurity plans. Best practice farm hygiene and biosecurity practices are adopted in the Australian poultry industry and are standard practice. National farm biosecurity manuals.
There is no avian influenza vaccination in Australia for poultry.
Outbreak preparation
The biosecurity division of PIRSA works with the National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program, which is coordinated by Wildlife Health Australia.
Avian influenza is a nationally notifiable disease.
If avian influenza is detected in Australia, it is declared as an emergency animal disease. Immediate actions will focus on its eradication and minimising the impact of any outbreak.
Learn how government and industry work together to respond to disease outbreaks.
Husbandry and hygiene practices for poultry
To achieve a high level of biosecurity, restrict contact between poultry and wild birds. Take these steps to maintain your overall flock’s health:
- Keep feed and water inside sheds where practical, or covered so they are difficult for wild birds to access.
- Make sure fresh feed and water is provided daily.
- Keep feed and water spaces clear of poo and other organic matter.
- Ensure drinking water is treated, especially if it is straight from a natural water source, such as a river or dam. Treated drinking water should be regularly tested for effectiveness.
- Change nesting materials on a regular basis.
- Minimise the presence of vegetation that attracts wild birds, particularly waterfowl.
- Make sure poultry species are prevented from mixing – keep chickens, ducks and turkeys separate.
- Limit any visitor contact with birds. Check whether essential visitors have recently been at other premises where poultry are kept.
- If you attend poultry shows, don’t allow your birds to mix directly with others.
Keep new birds separate from your flocks in a quarantine pen for at least 4 weeks, until you are sure they are disease-free after transportation.
Resources
PDFs to download and print:
- Poster – What to do if you see sick or dead birds or other animals ( )
- Postcard – What to do if you see sick or dead birds or other animals ( )
- Poster – Information for poultry owners ( )
- Fact sheet - Information for poultry owners ( )
More information
- H5 bird flu – Wildlife Health Australia
- Avian influenza – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
- H5 avian influenza (bird flu) – Department for Environment and Water
- Responding to avian influenza (producer factsheet) – Animal Health Australia
- Control measures for avian influenza (producer factsheet) – Animal Health Australia
- Avian influenza guidelines – Australian Eggs