Updates on bird flu in Australia and New Zealand

This page is dedicated to providing updates on bird flu (H5N1) detections in Australia and New Zealand.

As at 17 July 2026 there have been the following detections:

In Australia:

• Eight confirmed in Western Australia (including the latest one detected on northern WA beaches)

• Five confirmed in South Australia

• Two confirmed in New South Wales

In New Zealand:

• One confirmed on Petone Beach, Wellington

• One confirmed in Carterton, Wairarapa area

There have been no cases detected in domestic poultry flocks or domestic wildlife.

Contact Hatch House or the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888 (in Australia) or Exotic Pest and Disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 (New Zealand) immediately if you observe:

• Unexplained mortality increase

• Rapid drop in feed or water intake

• Significant drop in egg production

• Any unusual clinical signs

Download our FAQ sheet for poultry farmers below. Have questions you want added to the FAQ sheet? Submit them to info@hatchhousehq.com