Western Australian poultry farms locked down after H5N1 bird flu discovered in wild birds

Western Australian poultry farms were placed under lockdown on June 22, 2026, following the confirmation of the H5N1 bird flu virus in wild birds. Inghams Group, Australia's largest poultry producer, initiated a "complete lockdown" in Western Australia as a precautionary measure, even though the virus had not been detected in commercial poultry flocks. The initial detection was made in a brown skua, and a petrel was undergoing testing. These are the first confirmed cases of H5N1 on mainland Australia. The lockdown aims to prevent the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza to commercial poultry operations, which could have significant economic and food security implications. The Australian government and agricultural authorities are closely monitoring the situation and implementing biosecurity protocols to manage the outbreak. The H5N1 virus is known for its high mortality rate in birds and poses a potential risk to human health, although transmission to humans is rare. The swift action by Inghams Group and authorities underscores the seriousness of the detected avian influenza.