Australia Confirms First Contagious H5 Bird Flu Case

Scientists have confirmed Australia’s first case of the highly contagious H5 bird flu in a migratory brown skua found in a remote part of Western Australia. A second seabird, a giant petrel, also returned a suspected positive result, with findings verified by the national science agency. The detection ends Australia’s status as the only continent free of the H5 strain, which has ravaged poultry farms and wild bird populations worldwide. Authorities report no mass bird deaths or poultry infections so far, but emergency meetings are underway to coordinate a national response. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia had long prepared for the virus’s arrival via migratory birds. Conservation experts warn the strain could threaten unique wildlife, putting species like Tasmanian devils, black swans, little penguins and Australian sea lions at risk. Officials are expanding captive breeding programmes for 35 vulnerable species and tracing bird migration routes to understand how the virus reached the continent.

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