On the 20th, Australia confirmed that a migratory bird carcass found in Western Australia tested positive for the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus, marking the first time H5N1 has been detected on the Australian mainland. At the same time, a giant petrel in the same area was also suspected of being infected with H5N1. On the 22nd, Federal Agriculture Minister Collins announced that the giant petrel had also been confirmed to be infected with H5N1, making it Australia's second case of H5N1.
Collins stated that there is currently no evidence of large-scale deaths among wildlife, and that Australia's poultry and agricultural systems have so far not been affected by avian influenza. Authorities are working to determine whether, beyond the two confirmed birds, H5N1 avian influenza has already spread among Australia's wild animal populations.