- Avoid contact and keep your distance.
- Record the date, time, and location, and take photos.
- Report it to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Find out more about the signs and how to report.
For the latest on H5 bird flu in WA and the actions being taken in response, visit the Weekly Bird Flu Update page.
A national approach to H5 bird flu
Australia has well-established national H5 bird flu response arrangements in place. Federal, state and local governments, the poultry industry and wildlife stakeholders have been working together to prepare for and reduce the impact of H5 bird flu in Australia.
Western Australia’s preparation for H5 bird flu
WA is well prepared to respond quickly to H5 bird flu to protect our poultry production and reduce impacts on wildlife and communities.
Under the Emergency Management Act 2005, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is the hazard management agency for animal disease emergencies.
As prevention, preparedness, response and recovery activities for animal hazards are a whole of government responsibility, DPIRD is working collaboratively with our partner agencies:
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
Wildlife planning
As H5 bird flu is likely to spread further in wildlife, national plans have been put in place to help manage the situation and reduce impacts on wildlife.
Western Australia is adopting the national approach to animal vaccination to help build resilience in some of our most vulnerable native bird species. Vaccination is also being considered for some captive wildlife populations, including zoo animals.
Find more information and resources on the wildlife carers and vets page, and on the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions website.
Ongoing risk assessments will help support the protection of wildlife populations and species most at risk.
Monitoring and surveillance
Enhanced surveillance for H5 bird flu continues across WA and nationally.
Activities include:
- monitoring for new cases in wildlife
- targeted surveillance of waterbirds and local shorebirds
- community reporting of sick or dead birds and marine mammals
- sharing information between agencies to support rapid response activities.
The WA H5 bird flu map displays investigations of sick or deceased wildlife in Western Australia, including birds and marine mammals, using data from the DPIRD H5 bird flu wildlife surveillance program and reports received through the Emergency Animal Disease hotline.
Supporting the poultry industry
DPIRD is monitoring the risk of H5 bird flu to the poultry industry. Advice, including biosecurity and voluntary housing information, can be found on the DPIRD commercial poultry webpage.
National responses include pre-agreed response strategies and funding arrangements to support the poultry industry and help maintain supplies of safe chicken meat and eggs.
How WA is responding to H5 bird flu
Currently there have only been 10 detections of H5 bird flu in WA, all in wild migratory seabirds found along the WA coastline from Esperance to Northampton.
There is no evidence the disease has established in WA wildlife and there have been no cases in poultry.
However, as H5 bird flu is likely to continue to enter WA via wild migratory seabirds, and H5 bird flu is spreading in wildlife in some other states, the disease is likely to establish in wildlife in WA at some stage.
Overseas experience has shown that H5 bird flu cannot be eradicated from wild bird populations once it becomes established. Response efforts are therefore focused on reducing impacts on wildlife, poultry industries and communities.
Response activities may include:
- strengthening biosecurity measures including housing orders to minimise contact between poultry and wild birds
- increasing disease surveillance and monitoring.
- protecting vulnerable wildlife species including vaccination where possible.
- managing risks to human health.
Where H5 bird flu is detected in vulnerable species, risk assessments will be used to guide management actions and determine the most appropriate response.
For information and resources for wildlife carers and veterinarians, visit the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions website.
Small and large bird flu resilience grants are being offered until 10 December 2026, to help progress community-based projects that directly address the spread of H5 bird flu in wildlife. Visit the WA bird flu wildlife resilience grants website for more information.
Weekly bird flu update
The WA Government provides weekly H5 bird flu updates to keep the public informed about the current situation in Western Australia and the actions being taken in response. Read latest updates here:
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