25/06/2026
South Australia has confirmed its first detection of H5 bird flu in a Southern Giant Petrel at Knights Beach on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
The Southern Giant Petrel is a migratory seabird that breeds in Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands between October and March. During the southern winter, these birds migrate north and can travel significant distances, including to the waters off South Australia.
Importantly, this is currently being treated as an isolated incident, and there are no detections in poultry anywhere in Australia at this time.
Avian influenza (bird flu) is a virus that can cause serious illness and death in poultry, wild birds and some mammals.
It’s important to stay alert to help protect SA from H5 bird flu.
If you see sick or dead birds or other animals, do not touch them. Instead, take a photo or video, note the location and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888.
For more information, visit: pir.sa.gov.au/birdflu