India, June 23 -- Australia has confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu in a brown skua at Cape Le Grand National Park, with another seabird suspected.

Scientists say this global wildlife pandemic strain, long present in Asia and Antarctica, may have reached the mainland via roaming skuas and petrels.

Authorities stress surveillance, strict farm biosecurity and public reporting of sick birds.

On June 20, 2026, a suspected case of deadly H5 bird flu, also known as high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, was confirmed in a brown skua.

This large seabird was found in Cape Le Grand National Park near Esperance, about 700 kilometres south-east of Perth in Western Australia.

The virus is also suspected to have a...