Australian Antarctic Program scientists say virus on Heard Island has spread to new species. The gentoo penguin has become the first bird to test positive for the H5N1 bird flu on an Australian territory, with samples confirming the virus has spread on a sub-Antarctic island.
The deadly and contagious strain of bird flu, which has already killed millions of seabirds, wild birds and poultry overseas, was confirmed in southern elephant seals on Heard Island in November 2025.
Fur seals and gentoo penguins have now tested positive for the virus, according to the federal government, after further samples were collected by Australian Antarctic Program scientists on a second voyage to Heard Island.
The island is an Australian territory located about 4,000km south-west of Perth, and 1,700km north of Antarctica.