The deadly H5 strain of bird flu has reached one of Australia's sub-Antarctic islands, officials have confirmed, but they say the detection does not "substantially" increase the risk of the virus reaching Australia.
Heard Island is a remote island in the Southern Ocean, located more than 4,000 kilometres south-west of Perth and 1,700 kilometres north of Antarctica.
In a statement, Minister for Agriculture Julie Collins said the detection was a reminder of the importance of being prepared and vigilant against the spread of the deadly virus.
"While this detection of H5 bird flu on Heard Island does not substantially increase risks to Australia, it does reinforce the ongoing need for Australia to remain focused on preparing for a potential outbreak," Ms Collins said.
Earlier this year, scientists took samples from dead elephant seals at Heard Island after observing unusually high mortality among the population.
Minister for the Environment and Water, Murray Watt, said Australian researchers were "monitoring the global spread of bird flu so that we are equipped with the best possible information for when it reaches our shores".
"More sampling, wildlife health monitoring and assessment of potential impacts will occur during a second expedition to the Heard Island and McDonald Islands, which is scheduled to arrive at Heard Island in late December and return to Hobart in February 2026," he said.
"This confirmation reinforces the importance and urgency of the work currently underway across Australia to protect threatened species and priority biodiversity, and build resilience of our most at-risk species in nature."
Brant Smith, from the Biosecurity Animal Division, Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, said Australians should remain "alert but not alarmed".
"We still need to maintain vigilance, but it hasn't significantly increased the risk to a mainland incursion."
