Approach to reporting
From 12 August 2026, we have changed how we report on H5 bird flu detections.
Reporting is now based on events, rather than individual bird detections.
An event may involve one or more birds. The new number of positive events captures all previously reported individual confirmed detections.
Definitions
Investigation: An event where one or more wild birds or wild mammals showing signs of H5 bird flu have been reported to state or territory authorities and samples have been collected for laboratory testing.
Positive event: An investigation where H5 bird flu has been confirmed through laboratory testing.
Negative event: An investigation where laboratory testing has ruled out H5 bird flu.
Hotline report: A report to relevant state or territory authorities through the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline or other official sources.
Event data
As of 7pm AEST, 12 August 2026, Australia has 151 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wild birds.
- 10 in Western Australia (WA)
- 93 in South Australia (SA)
- 4 in New South Wales (NSW)
- 1 in Queensland (QLD)
- 43 in Victoria (VIC).
As H5 bird flu is confirmed in more locations and species in Australia it will not be necessary to continue testing all species in known areas of transmission, or to test every bird involved in an investigation. Reporting will be targeted to provide a clear picture of the national H5 bird flu situation in wildlife in Australia and key developments.
Data disclaimer
Data reflects information provided by state and territory governments to the Australian Government as at 17:00 AEST daily. The Australian Government publishes this information for national reporting purposes. Responsibility for the accuracy, completeness and currency of the data remains with the relevant state or territory government. Due to differences in reporting timing, information on the national dashboard may differ from information published on state or territory government websites.