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On Heard Island, a remote Australian subantarctic island some 4,000 km southwest of Perth, scientists were concerned after observing high mortality rates in the elephant seal population.
The cause of death? A highly infectious strain of bird flu known as H5N1.
This is the first time this strain has been detected on Australian territory.
WHAT IS BIRD FLU?
Bird flu (or avian influenza) is a disease that affects wild and domestic bird populations, which can be spread to mammal species.
There are various strains of bird flu. Some are low risk and cause minimal harm in bird populations.
Others – such as H5N1 – are spreading globally and decimating populations of birds and other wildlife.
This strain is found on every continent except Australia. It has wiped out over 100,000 wild birds in Peru, 4,000 sea lions in Chile and 8,000 Eurasian cranes in Israel and caused 97% mortality in southern elephant seal pups in Argentina.
Hence, the concern for the elephant seals on Heard Island.
Credit: AAD Mapping/Australian Antarctic Program
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR AUSTRALIA?
Authorities say the detection of H5N1 bird flu on Heard Island does not significantly increase the chance of an incursion into mainland Australia.
However, this doesn’t mean there is zero threat.
Since 1976, there have been various outbreaks of the H7 strain of bird flu in Australia.
In 2024/25, poultry farms in southeast Australia were heavily affected by it, resulting in egg shortages in supermarkets.
If (or when) the H5N1 strain reaches Australia, the impacts on our wildlife and poultry farms would be far-spread and devastating.
Credit: Rowena Hannaford/Australian Antarctic Division
WHAT’S NEXT?
Australia will continue to monitor wildlife populations around the country.
The government is investing $100 million to ensure there is a coordinated national response to bird flu when it arrives as well as support for all states and territories.
Another voyage to Heard Island, scheduled for late December, will gather more information about the status of bird flu on the island and the health of other wildlife present.
