July 24, 2026
A wild seabird found dead on Moreton Island is believed to have died from H5 bird flu.
The dead petrel is Queensland’s first suspected positive case of the high pathogenicity avian influenza.
Australia’s first case of H5 bird flu was reported on June 20 in Western Australia, with further detections in wild seabirds in Western Australia, South Australia and NSW.
Samples from the dead bird tested positive during initial investigations at the State Government’s Biosecurity Sciences Laboratory. Samples have now been sent to the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness for confirmation.
A DPI spokesperson said there had been no detections in poultry nor evidence of large-scale deaths in any animals in Queensland, however the community was urged to continue to report sick or dead wild birds.
DPI Chief Veterinary Officer Allison Crook said the suspected positive detection was expected and Queensland was well prepared for the next steps.
“We have known that a H5 bird flu detection in Queensland was a matter of when, not if,” Dr Crook said.
“If you find sick or dead wild birds or wildlife, avoid contact, keep children and pets away, record what you see, and report immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800-675-888.”
Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said the risk to human health remained unchanged.
“It is safe to continue to eat chicken meat or eggs, and I would encourage Queenslanders to purchase these products as they normally would,” he said.
“We’ve strengthened our preparedness measures and continue to work closely with industry to ensure Queensland is ready.
“The Queensland Department of Primary Industries will continue to keep the community informed as updates are available.”
While most of the concern will be about human life, there are many out there who love their *chook family* or who have pet birds in outside aviaries. I have watched this unfold over the past couple of years in the USA as I am a member of a Bird Club.
So PLEASE, now it’s here in Qld, if you love your birds, BRING THEM IN and lock up your chooks, any contact with wild birds could be the death knell for your pets, including a wild infected bird flying over but pooing in their enclosure.
My pet bird is safe as he has been in my house for many years, but I always wash my hands before and after handling him. Please consider your pets. This is a dreadful disease and it spreads fast, and birds do not have much resistance (usually the first sign of a sick bird is a dead bird) so protect them if you love them.
All (but one) of the cases so far in Australia have been in visiting seabirds. There have been no cases detected inland or in poultry farms, so there is no need to panic. However, it does pay to be vigilant and report any suspected cases to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800-675-888. But while infection in humans is very, very rare, in the USA it has occurred when humans have been in very close contact with infected birds. Cats can also become infected, usually from eating dead birds – another reason to keep your pet cats indoors!
https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html
Due to the harsh conditions outback over the last decade, it has caused huge flocks of Little Corellas to move to more comfortable places. Caboolture Park is home to 1000s. You cannot even walk there without 100s constantly scooting out of the way.
Kingaroy is the same, a huge flock flies into town every day, most notably around the Park near IGA, then back to roost at night, flying directly over my house (the noise is deafening) and roosting not far away.
There are also areas of lorikeets in town, mainly near the hospital.
These would provide a perfect vector for the disease. If there is one thing O learnt from COVID, it’s be prepared and have a plan early, because once it’s her , it spreads.
It’s too late once your beloved chookies or cocky is dead. Birds are family too, so look after those feather babies!