CANBERRA – Australia has officially regained its bird flu-free status in poultry after successfully eradicating the H7 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) outbreak in Victoria, authorities confirmed.
The Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry announced that no new H7 HPAI cases have been detected since 24 February 2025. Following a period of comprehensive surveillance and containment, eradication was declared on 13 June, and Australia was officially recognised as free from HPAI in poultry on 24 June 2025 in accordance with World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) standards.
The WOAH has published Australia’s self-declaration, reaffirming global transparency and trust in the country’s robust animal health systems and emergency response capabilities.
Australia has a strong track record of successfully eliminating bird flu outbreaks, having previously contained HPAI incidents in 2024 across Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory. The nation’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson, credited the victory to coordinated action between government, industry, and local communities.
“Agriculture Victoria has done a remarkable job implementing disease control measures and surveillance to eradicate the virus,” said Dr Cookson. “This success demonstrates why biosecurity is a shared national responsibility.”
Dr Cookson emphasized that ongoing surveillance and strong biosecurity practices remain essential to protecting Australia’s poultry industry and economy from future threats.
The swift and effective response highlights Australia’s world-class emergency animal disease management protocols, setting a global example in avian influenza control.
