The Australian government has confirmed that after a positive test on sub-Antarctic Heard Island, the Gentoo penguin has become the first bird species to be infected with H5 avian influenza in any Australian territory.
- The virus has also been found in southern elephant seals and Antarctic fur seals on the remote island. This update came after confirmation in November, 2025 that southern elephant seals had contracted the disease, but its detection in Gentoo penguins marks the first known infection in birds in Australia’s external territories.
- The deadly and highly transmissible strain of bird flu H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b) has infected and killed millions of seabirds, wild birds and poultry worldwide.
- In a statement, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister said that Heard Island is very remote, located more than 4,000km southwest of Perth and about 1,700km north of Antarctica in the Southern Ocean.
- The statement said, “Although Australia’s freedom status from H5 bird flu has not changed, the cases detected on Heard Island remind governments, industry and conservation partners of the importance of continued vigilance, coordinated biosecurity measures and preparedness.”
- Heard Island, a remote external territory of Australia in the southern Indian Ocean, is dominated by Big Ben (Mawson Peak), which is Australia’s highest active volcano.
- Together with the McDonald Islands, it forms part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Gentoo penguin
- IUCN status: Least concern.
- Distribution: Antarctic Peninsula and sub-Antarctic islands; vagrants recorded in Argentina, New Zealand and Tasmania.
- Identification: White stripe on the head, bright orange bill, peach-colored feet; the third largest penguin species.
- Special feature: Fastest swimming penguin; feeds on krill, fish and squid.
About H5N1 bird flu
- Avian influenza A (H5N1) or H5N1 bird flu is a highly pathogenic virus that mainly spreads among birds but can also infect mammals.
- H5N1 originated from a virus outbreak in China in 1996 and rapidly evolved into a highly pathogenic strain.
- Since 2020 it has spread across Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America and even mainland Antarctica.
- The first outbreak of H5N1 in India was reported in 2015 in the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
- Wild birds, including endangered species such as the California condor, have been severely affected by H5N1.
- Earlier, the main species affected were chickens.
- Mass deaths of marine mammals such as sea lions and dolphins have occurred in regions like Chile and Peru.
- In North America mammals such as foxes, pumas and bears, and farmed mink in Spain and Finland have also been infected.
