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 August 2026 there have been the following detections:

In Australia there are a total of 236 positive events (no longer counting individual cases):

• 10 confirmed in Western Australia

• 166 confirmed in South Australia

• 4 confirmed in New South Wales

• 1 confirmed in Queensland

• 53 confirmed in Victoria

• 2 confirmed in Tasmania

In New Zealand:

• One confirmed on Petone Beach, Wellington

• One confirmed in Carterton, Wairarapa area

While no cases have been detected in domestic poultry, recent mass mortality events in wild birds in South Australia suggest the virus is now becoming established in Australian wildlife rather than remaining an isolated incursion. There are voluntary housing orders in place until 3 September.

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