H5N1 threatens nearly 400 Australian species
- The Australian government’s species assessment, published in late July and reported on August 5, found nearly 400 native species at high risk or worse from H5N1. - More than 2,000 native birds and mammals were scored, and ABC reported five bird species were ranked at “extreme threat” if infections reach them. - As of August 6, DAFF said Australia had 123 confirmed wild-bird detections; updates are posted on the federal bird flu website.
Australia’s federal government has now put numbers on the wildlife threat from H5N1. A national assessment found nearly 400 native bird and mammal species are at high risk or worse from the virus, after scoring more than 2,000 species for vulnerability, exposure and likely consequences if infection spreads. The findings were reported on August 5 after the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water published its native-species risk material in late July. Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry said on August 6 that the country had 123 confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in wild birds and none in poultry or the wider agriculture industry. ### How big is the wildlife risk the government identified? The assessment covered more than 2,000 native birds and mammals and found nearly one in five fell into high, very high or extreme risk bands. ABC reported that five bird species were ranked at extreme threat, meaning an outbreak in those populations could be devastating. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water said H5N1 poses “significant risks” to wildlife, ecosystems and threatened species. (dcceew.gov.au) Its public guidance says species with small populations or a single breeding or roosting site are especially exposed to long-term population setbacks and possible extinction pressure. (abc.net.au) ### Which Australian animals are in the firing line? ABC said the extreme-risk birds include the herald petrel, Christmas Island frigatebird, Houtman Abrolhos lesser noddy, imperial shag and Heard shag. The same report said the endangered Tasmanian devil and eastern quoll were among the highest-ranked mammals at risk, while dolphins, whales, sea lions and seals could also face major population impacts. (dcceew.gov.au) The Parliament of Australia’s research service said elevated-risk species include sea lions, fur seals, dolphins, the eastern quoll and the Tasmanian devil. DCCEEW has also flagged Australian sea lions, Christmas Island frigatebirds, Abbott’s booby, black swans, pelicans and magpie geese as species of concern. (abc.net.au) ### Why is H5N1 such a problem for mammals as well as birds? The Parliament of Australia’s FlagPost said the current H5N1 lineage has shown an expanded host range, including mammals, since its global spread accelerated in 2021. It said most mammalian infections have come from scavenging or predation of infected birds, though sustained mammal-to-mammal transmission has occurred in some settings, including marine mammals in South America. (aph.gov.au) DCCEEW said overseas outbreaks have killed millions of wild birds and tens of thousands of wild mammals. That overseas record is part of why Australia’s species rankings considered not just conservation status, but also habitat, behavior and evidence from outbreaks abroad, according to ABC. ### How far has the virus spread in Australia so far? (aph.gov.au) DAFF said that, as of 11 a.m. AEST on August 6, Australia had 123 confirmed detections of H5 bird flu in wild birds: 87 in South Australia, 23 in Victoria, 10 in Western Australia, two in New South Wales and one in Queensland. The department said all detections so far have been in wild birds and there have been no detections in poultry or the wider agriculture industry. (dcceew.gov.au) The Parliament of Australia said H5N1 was first detected in wild birds on the mainland in June 2026 after earlier confirmation on Heard Island in late 2025. It said the first mass mortality event in Australian seabirds has already been confirmed, and DCCEEW said detections to date have been coastal and concentrated in seabirds. (agriculture.gov.au) ### What are officials telling the public to do next? DCCEEW and DAFF both say people should avoid contact with sick or dead wildlife, record the time and location, and report clusters through the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. National coordination is being led by DAFF, while state and territory governments are handling surveillance and on-the-ground response. (aph.gov.au) As of August 6, the federal bird flu portal remained the government’s running tally for confirmed detections, and the Parliament of Australia’s research note said the spread and impacts could change rapidly. (agriculture.gov.au) (dcceew.gov.au)
