First detection of deadly H5N1 bird flu confirmed in Victoria

Authorities in Victoria are increasing surveillance of wild animal populations after the detection of the state’s first case of the potentially catastrophic new strain of H5N1 bird flu.

A member of the public discovered the ill bird in the coastal town of Portland near the border with South Australia and reported it to authorities.

Testing on the greater crested tern subsequently confirmed the bird had contracted the virus. The detection comes after a series of cases in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland.

Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke urged anyone who finds a cluster of at least five sick birds of any species to alert authorities. However, he said even a single sick or dead seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey – or marine mammal, such as seals and dolphins – should be reported to authorities immediately.

“We recognise this can be unsettling news for members of our community,” Cooke said.

The virus can devastate poultry and wildlife populations. The latest strain has authorities and farmers on edge amid concerns about an outbreak on poultry farms. The detection of a separate bird flu strain on farms in 2024 resulted in about 1.3 million birds being euthanised, followed by about 600,000 in 2025.

Since the detection of the H5N1 virus in Western Australia last month, poultry keepers have been asked to voluntarily house their birds. In Victoria, that period has now been extended to a minimum of 14 days from today.

H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has been declared ineradicable by authorities, following confirmation on Wednesday that the virus is circulating among local birds.

The national committee on emergency animal diseases, which comprises state and federal chief veterinary officers, as well as scientific experts, said now the virus had spread among local terns it was not feasible to stamp it out of the country.

The official declaration triggers national co-ordination for cost sharing in response to the deadly virus.

The Albanese government has already committed $113 million to preparations to deal with an H5N1 incursion, with an emphasis on planning to identify an outbreak swiftly and a response to limit its spread.

This includes funding to prepare biosecurity officers to respond to an outbreak in farmed poultry, which may involve quarantining farms or districts and restricting transport between locations.

Authorities are using aerial surveillance methods, with helicopters and drones monitoring wildlife populations.

Victoria’s chief biodiversity officer James Todd said seal and gannet colonies in Portland were among the wildlife vulnerable to the disease.

“We’ve been preparing for H5 arrival in Victoria for a few years now,” he said.

Despite the technological response to the virus detection, Todd said co-operation from the community remained the most effective control method at hand.

“Our best line of defence at this stage is still the Victorian public.”

In a statement, Wildlife Victoria said it received a call from a concerned member of the public earlier this week about the greater crested tern in Portland showing signs of the virus.

“Wildlife Victoria monitored the case until Agriculture Victoria responders arrived on scene to contain and test the bird,” it said. “The tern was confirmed positive to H5 bird flu shortly after.”

Victorian Farmers Federation president Ryan Milgate said farmers should review their biosecurity plans and look out for unusual illness or unexplained bird deaths.

“There has been no spread to commercial poultry flocks or any agricultural environment at this stage, and the risk to human health remains very low,” he said.

The signs of H5N1 in birds include lack of co-ordination, tremors, swimming in circles, twisted necks, inability to fly or stand, diarrhoea, breathing difficulties, coughing, sneezing, swelling around the head, neck and eyes as well as cloudy eyes and changes in eye colour, as well as sudden death.

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