Industry experts confirm that recent detections in wild seabirds pose a low risk to Australian dairy cattle, with no cases or milk supply disruptions reported.
An article by Countryman details reassuring updates from Dairy Australia following confirmed detections of the H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in wild birds across Australia. Despite the virus being identified in migratory seabirds in Western Australia, South Australia, and New South Wales, industry bodies emphasize that the overall threat level for Australian dairy cattle remains low, with zero cases detected in domestic livestock to date.
The assessment aligns with a comprehensive risk analysis conducted by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) alongside Dairy Australia. The study evaluated Australia’s unique geography, farming practices, and existing biosecurity protocols, concluding that the probability of the virus transferring from wild bird populations into commercial dairy herds is low. Furthermore, authorities noted that the specific H5 genotype (2.3.4.4b) associated with widespread dairy cattle outbreaks in the United States has not established transmission within Australian herds.
Although the United States remains the only country to report widespread H5 bird flu infections in dairy cattle, the global situation has prompted Australian agricultural bodies to step up preparedness. An industry monitoring team—comprising Dairy Australia, Australian Dairy Farmers (ADF), and the Australian Dairy Products Federation (ADPF)—is working alongside federal and state authorities to maintain active surveillance, share data, and support farmgate preparedness.
While retail milk supplies and overall farm production remain unaffected, Dairy Australia urges producers to review and enforce strict biosecurity measures. Farmers are advised to maintain clean water supplies, restrict wildlife access to feeding areas, and closely monitor herd health. Common symptoms reported in overseas cattle include sudden drops in milk output, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever, and thickened milk consistency.
Ultimately, peak industry organizations stress that early reporting and consistent biosecurity represent the best defense against potential transmission. Producers who notice unusual symptoms in their herds or dead wild birds near farm premises are encouraged to report findings immediately to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline to protect the broader agricultural sector.
Source: Countryman / Dairy Australia
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