H5 Bird Flu Hits Port Kembla, Warriewood, Coffs Harbour
The New South Wales government is managing new detections of H5 bird flu in wild bird populations across several coastal regions. While there is no threat to commercial poultry or human health, authorities have initiated a vaccination program for vulnerable species.
Why it matters
Effective monitoring and vaccination of wildlife are critical to preventing the potential spillover of avian influenza into domestic agriculture or human populations.
The Minns Government is responding to three new events of H5 bird flu after samples were taken from greater crested terns at Port Kembla and Warriewood on Sydney's Northern Beaches, as well as a Hutton's shearwater at Corindi in Coffs Harbour.
This is the first confirmed detection in a shearwater bird in NSW.
There are no signs of any mass mortality in the area or anywhere else in NSW and surveillance is continuing so we can detect any further cases early.
As of 3 September 2026, there are 20 H5 bird events in NSW and 468 across Australia.
Given the spread of bird flu across Australia, NSW now reports detections under the nationally consistent event system, where a single investigation may involve one or more birds and considers factors such as location, timing, species and other findings.
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