Australia Reports Seven New Suspected H5N1 Bird Flu Cases in South Australia

Authorities in South Australia (SA) have reported seven new suspected cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu strain, prompting enhanced surveillance of wild seabird populations in the state. South Australia's Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven, said all seven suspected cases have been identified in Greater Crested Terns found along the Limestone Coast in the state's southeast. She added that five of the suspected cases were detected in the same town over a period of two days. According to officials, the bird samples were initially tested by local authorities and have now been sent to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmatory testing. The investigation aims to determine whether local transmission of the virus has occurred. If all seven suspected infections are confirmed, Australia's total number of H5N1 cases will rise to 27, following the country's first detection of the highly pathogenic strain on the mainland in mid-June. Speaking alongside Minister Scriven, South Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer, Skye Frawley, said surveillance efforts would be intensified in areas where seabird species considered to be at higher risk of carrying the virus are found, including Crested Terns. Earlier on Monday, Australia's Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, stated that there had been no mass bird deaths linked to H5N1 in the country. She also confirmed that there is no evidence of the virus circulating in poultry farms or commercial agricultural systems. According to the news agency report, Collins said the risk to human health remains low. H5N1 is a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus that spreads easily among birds. It is classified as a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans, although it is generally less adapted to infect mammals. However, infections in mammals have been increasing, and transmission between mammals has also been recorded. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), between 2003 and December 2025, there were 993 confirmed human cases of H5N1 avian influenza worldwide, resulting in 477 deaths.