Australia Steps Up Bird Flu Surveillance as PNG Imposes Sudden Ban on Poultry Imports

Australian authorities have intensified surveillance and testing efforts after confirming two cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu, while neighbouring Papua New Guinea has moved swiftly to suspend all poultry imports from Australia.

The latest concern emerged in South Australia, where two dead sub‑Antarctic seabirds and a pelican were discovered near Fowlers Bay on Monday more than 1,200 kilometres east of Esperance, the site of Australia’s first confirmed mainland cases. Testing is now underway, with officials warning that results will depend on the complexity of the samples.

South Australia’s Primary Industries Department said there are no confirmed cases in the state, but authorities are investigating all reports of sick or dead birds and will alert the public immediately if the virus is detected. Ground‑based patrols and drone surveys are being deployed at sea lion breeding sites along the state’s west and far‑west coasts, while testing has been increased in high‑risk zones.

In Western Australia, two additional birds are being examined far from the initial outbreak area. Officials say there is no evidence of wider spread, despite receiving 94 reports of dead or unwell birds in the past three days. Eleven samples have been sent for laboratory testing.

The confirmed cases have triggered a strong response from Papua New Guinea, which on Wednesday banned all poultry meat and product imports from Australia. PNG is Australia’s largest poultry export market, purchasing A$44 million worth of products in 2023. Australia’s Department of Agriculture said the ban was imposed despite the domestic poultry sector remaining free of bird flu, and that it is “actively engaging with PNG to resolve this issue.”

Until now, Australia had been the only continent without a confirmed mainland H5N1 case, though the virus was detected in late 2025 on the remote sub‑Antarctic territory of Heard Island. The new detections mark a significant shift in the nation’s biosecurity landscape, prompting heightened vigilance across multiple states.