Bird Flu Spreads to Second Australian State After First Mainland Detection

H5 bird flu has spread to a second Australian state, South Australia, just days after the first mainland detection in Western Australia. Premier Peter Malinauskas confirmed the case on June 24, 2026, noting all detections in both states were in migratory seabirds. This development marks the virus's spread to every continent and signals potential difficulties ahead in controlling the deadly animal disease.

H5 bird flu mainland spread

• ▪The spread of the virus signals potential difficulties in controlling the deadly animal disease.
• ▪A strain of bird flu has spread to a second Australian state, days after the country's first mainland case was reported.

South Australia detection

• ▪South Australia confirmed its first case of H5 bird flu on Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
• ▪The confirmation in South Australia was announced by Premier Peter Malinauskas at a press conference.

Migratory seabird cases

• ▪All confirmed bird flu cases in South Australia and Western Australia were found in migratory seabirds.
• ▪The initial bird flu detections on mainland Australia occurred in Western Australia and were announced over the weekend prior to June 24, 2026.

Global virus distribution

• ▪The detection of bird flu in Australia marks the virus's spread to every continent.

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