Australia is in an extinction crisis.
Native animals like black cockatoos and koalas are already being pushed to the brink by the destruction of their homes for activities such as beef production and from floods and fires worsened by burning climate-wrecking fossil fuels.
They can’t take much more, but there is another threat on the horizon: H5N1 bird flu.
Outbreaks of H5N1, a deadly strain of avian influenza, have already caused millions of animal deaths worldwide. While it is yet to hit Australia, we know it’s coming.
What is H5N1?
H5N1 is a highly contagious respiratory disease that causes severe illness and death in poultry, wild birds and some mammals.
Since arriving in South America in late 2022, H5N1 has killed more than 650,000 native birds, 30,000 South American sea lions and increased the mortality rate of Argentina's Peninsula Valdes elephant seal pups from 1% in 2022 to 95% in 2023. Infected birds shed the virus via saliva, mucous and feces.
Although not common, H5N1 can also infect and kill humans.
How will Australia be affected?
It is not a matter of if H5N1 will arrive in Australia, but when.
When it reaches our shores, it will likely kill Australian birds and mammals, including already threatened species of eagles, Tasmanian devils, quolls, dingoes and Australian sea lions. It could potentially also cause localised extinctions.
For threatened species already on the brink, like the swift parrot and regent honeyeater, if H5N1 makes it into their populations, the results could be catastrophic.
The Threatened Species Commissioner has said H5N1 “…could be the nation’s biggest ecological disaster, potentially exceeding the Black Summer bushfires”.
Tasmanian devils could be impacted by H5N1. Credit: Annette Ruzicka
The arrival of H5N1 will also likely impact our ability to get out into nature, and we may witness sick or dead animals ourselves.
In these instances, we must stay safe and keep away from infected animals and report sightings to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
What is being done?
The situation is being closely monitored by our friends at Birdlife Australia, The Invasive Species Council, AMCS, Wildlife Health Australia and others.
Governments will need to play a significant role, and ACF welcomed the Albanese Government’s announcement that it will commit $100 million of new funding to help Australia prepare for and respond to H5N1, including nearly $36 million for a coordinated response for wildlife that focuses on reducing suffering, deaths and preventing extinctions.
At ACF we are staying up to date, backing-in strategies and disseminating messages from organisations leading in this space.
What can you do?
While H5N1 is yet to arrive in Australia, it is only a matter of time. It’s important for all of us to be aware of the signs.
When you should report:
- If you see numerous dead birds in one location.
- If you find individual dead birds especially seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds or birds of prey.
- If you see birds with symptoms such as:
- Lack of coordination, tremors or swimming circles
- Twisted neck or unusual posture
- Inability to stand or fly
- Diarrhoea
- Difficult breathing, coughing or sneezing
- Swelling around head, neck and eyes
- Cloudiness or change of colour in eyes
- Sudden death
Stay safe and keep away from infected animals and report sightings to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Read more in this resource from Birdlife Australia.
Sea birds. Credit: David Sproule
Where can I find out more?
We will continue to update this page as and when renewed advice comes in from the Federal Government and other organisations.
- Birdlife Australia’s H5N1 briefing note including what to look out for in birds.
- The Invasive Species Council’s call for Federal resources to respond to H5N1.
- The Federal Government’s page with the latest on H5N1 in Australia.
