H5 Bird Flu Suspected in NSW: Poultry Industry on Alert

Australia's poultry sector faces significant economic uncertainty following the first suspected case of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza in New South Wales. Samples from a giant petrel found near Hawks Nest on the Mid North Coast are currently undergoing confirmation by the CSIRO. While NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty reports no evidence of spread to commercial poultry, the state's supply chain remains on high alert, activating stringent biosecurity protocols to protect an industry that supplies more than a third of the nation's eggs and chickens.

What are the economic risks for the NSW poultry sector?

NSW plays a critical role in Australia's food security, supplying over 33% of national eggs and chicken meat. The suspected H5 incursion puts this substantial economic output at risk. Rowan McMonnies, managing director of Australian Eggs, stated that an H5 incursion was inevitable, though early signs remain positive due to limited detections in migratory seabirds and zero detections in resident wildlife or commercial poultry. However, Mr. McMonnies emphasized that this status must hold for several weeks before industry confidence can grow.

Producers are already taking precautionary economic measures. David Mason, who runs a 1,000-bird operation in Bowraville, has decided to sell his free-range ducks and geese to mitigate exposure. He noted that his other poultry remain housed in deep litter sheds, isolated from wild birds. This proactive approach reflects a broader industry shift toward stringent, sustainable biosecurity investments to protect agricultural assets.

How is the government managing the biosecurity response?

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has established an incident response team at the State Coordination Centre in Orange. DPIRD deputy chief veterinary officer Rhys Powell reported that the team is logging approximately 100 calls per day regarding sick bird sightings, though many reports relate to the same incident. Mr. Powell stated that the government is planning for the worst while remaining cautiously optimistic, coordinating surveillance to ensure swift action for both wildlife and commercial poultry.

Minister Moriarty confirmed that the commercial poultry industry has been informed and that there is currently no evidence of large-scale wildlife deaths or poultry infections. The government is urging all farmers to activate their existing biosecurity plans immediately.

What is the difference between the H5 and H7 bird flu strains?

The current H5 strain under suspicion is distinct from the H7 avian influenza that spread through NSW, ACT, and Victorian egg farms during the 2024-25 outbreak. That previous event forced widespread quarantine measures and resulted in the culling of 1.8 million birds. Australia was the last continent free of the H5 strain until it was detected in migratory seabirds in Western Australia and South Australia in June 2026. The H5 strain poses a severe threat to biodiversity, with veterinarians like Tiffany Sullivan from Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary warning it can easily wipe out vulnerable wild species.

Has bird flu reached commercial poultry in NSW?

No. As of July 3, 2026, there are no detections of H5 avian influenza in commercial poultry or resident wildlife in NSW. The only suspected case involves a single giant petrel found near Hawks Nest.

Where was the suspected H5 bird flu case detected?

The suspected case was identified in a giant petrel near Hawks Nest, located on the Mid North Coast of New South Wales. Samples have been sent to the CSIRO for confirmation.

What precautions are wildlife sanctuaries taking?

Wildlife sanctuaries, such as the Coffs Coast Wildlife Sanctuary on the Mid North Coast, are refusing to accept migratory seabirds to prevent the virus from spreading to their resident animal populations.