Rural
12 September, 2026
Avian bird flu detected in Goulburn
Avian bird flu has been detected in a greater crested tern in Goulburn. The single bird detection is one of the five most recent bird flu events reported by the NSW Government.
Avian bird flu has been detected in a greater crested tern in Goulburn.
The single bird detection is one of the five most recent bird flu events reported by the NSW Government.
No other information about exactly where the bird was found has been provided.
The others were in Dee Why (greater crested tern), Hawks Nest (greater crested tern), Congo (white fronted tern) and Moruya (silver gull).
It takes the total number of detections in NSW to 30.
Nationally there has been more than 500 detections – the majority of them in South Australia.
In NSW the detections have mainly been in birds found along the coast, including in the Wollongong, Shoalhaven, Eurobodalla and Bega Valley local government areas.
However it has also been detected as far west as Wentworth on the South Australian border.
According to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, H5 bird flu is a serious, highly contagious strain of bird flu that has been circulating globally.
It mainly affects birds but can also infect other animals.
Overseas, the H5 strain has caused severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and some mammals.
In Australia it has been detected in a dolphin, a seal and a red fox.
At this stage there have been no detections in poultry or the wider agricultural production system.
It is not a food safety risk for chicken meat and eggs if they are handled and cooked correctly.
The Department has warned that if H5 bird flu establishes in Australia some native species may face long-term population setbacks and may potentially be pushed towards extinction.
That doesn’t just include bird species.
A number of endangered and vulnerable mammal species have been identified as being at ‘high’ or ‘moderate’ risk from H5 bird flu.
According to the Department, infected wildlife may look very sick or show no signs of disease at all.
For wild birds, signs may include difficulty standing, walking or flying, breathing problems, unusual head or neck posture or sudden death.
Anyone who observes a sick bird – or who finds a dead bird (or any animal) – is urged to avoid contact and to call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia.
The risk to human health of H5 bird flu remains low however avoiding contact with sick or dead birds and keeping pets and children away is considered the best protection.
Anyone needing to touch or move dead birds on their property has been advised to wear personal protecting equipment including gloves, a respirator or surgical mask, safety goggles and long-sleeved clothing. For more information visit: Bird flu (H5 avian influenza) | NSW Government
--------------
Subscribe to The Southern Wire Newsletter for free at the link below.
https://subscribe-forms.beehiiv.com/1986abc6-c89e-4781-9db2-cf35c9dd71e4
If you value independent local journalism across the Highlands, Tablelands and Wollondilly, please click the link below to support us to ensure we remain paywall free.
Read More: Southern Highlands, Southern Tablelands, Wollondilly, Yass