Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Tasmania reports first H5N1 bird flu case, completing Australia-wide detection
Bird flu is a sickness that makes birds very ill.
A kind of bird flu called H5N1 has now been found in Tasmania, an island state in Australia.
A big sea bird called a brown skua was found dead on the coast, and tests showed it had the virus.
This is the first time the virus has been seen in Tasmania, and it has now been found in every state in Australia.
The virus was first seen in Western Australia in June.
The government has bought special medicine, called a vaccine, to protect birds.
They will give it to special birds kept safe, including the very rare orange-bellied parrot.
Scientists and officials are watching the coast carefully for sick birds.
Officials say they are ready to help if more birds get sick.
Tasmania reported its first confirmed case of H5N1 avian influenza on Thursday, becoming the sixth and final Australian state to detect the strain.
The virus was detected in a dead migratory brown skua found on Tasmania's northwest coast by Parks and Wildlife Service staff.
H5N1 was first detected on the Australian mainland in Western Australia in June.
The federal government has acquired an initial 1,500 vials of H5N1 vaccine for high-risk birds in captivity, announced Agriculture Minister Julie Collins.
Tasmania's Environment Minister Guy Barnett said up to 350 critically endangered orange-bellied parrots in captivity would be vaccinated once approval is received.
- Who
- Gavin Pearce, Tasmania's minister for primary industries and water, reported the case; the dead bird was found by Parks and Wildlife Service staff. Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins and Tasmania's Environment Minister Guy Barnett are involved in vaccination efforts.
- What
- Tasmania reported its first confirmed case of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, detected in a dead migratory brown skua, making it the sixth and final Australian state to report the strain.
- When
- Reported on Thursday; H5N1 was first detected on the Australian mainland in Western Australia in June.
- Where
- Tasmania's northwest coast, Australia.
- Why
- Migratory birds can carry the virus; the brown skua was found dead during active coastal surveillance, prompting authorities to strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response arrangements.
- Event
- First confirmed H5N1 avian influenza case in Tasmania
- Detection
- Dead migratory brown skua on Tasmania's northwest coast
- Australian coverage
- Sixth and final Australian state to report H5N1
- First mainland detection
- Western Australia, June
- Federal vaccine supply
- Initial 1,500 vials for high-risk birds in captivity
- Vaccination target
- Up to 350 critically endangered orange-bellied parrots
- Virus lineage
- Goose/Guangdong H5N1 lineage first emerged in 1996