Good biosecurity helps protect Victorian livestock
20 October 2026
Livestock owners are encouraged to stay informed about H5 bird flu and maintain good farm biosecurity.
There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry or other livestock in Australia.
H5 bird flu is present in wild birds in Victoria. The disease primarily affects birds and has not been detected in Australian livestock.
While infections have occasionally been reported in ruminant livestock overseas, these events have generally occurred following high levels of exposure to infected birds or contaminated environments.
The dairy cattle outbreak reported in the United States was associated with a virus strain that is genetically different from the virus detected in Australia.
The Australian Government's High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Preparedness Taskforce and Dairy Australia completed an independent risk assessment of H5 bird flu in Australian livestock.
The assessment found the risk of H5 bird flu infection is low for dairy cattle and pigs, and negligible for beef cattle, sheep and goats. More information is available in the Australian Government's livestock risk assessment reports.
Good biosecurity remains the best protection against H5 bird flu and many other animal diseases.
Livestock owners can help protect their animals by:
- minimising contact between livestock and wild birds, where practical
- protecting feed and water sources from contamination
- maintaining hygiene for people, vehicles and equipment entering and leaving properties
- keeping accurate livestock records
- ensuring staff understand and follow farm biosecurity practices
- monitoring livestock health as part of normal husbandry activities.
Producers are encouraged to be familiar with the signs of disease and seek advice if they notice unusual illness, unexplained deaths or changes in animal health.
In some cases, animals may show few or no obvious signs. Reporting unusual health changes or unexplained deaths helps ensure potential emergency animal diseases can be identified and investigated quickly.
Avian influenza is a notifiable disease. Report sick, injured or dead birds online via the Agriculture Victoria website or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
For the latest information about H5 bird flu and livestock, visit the Agriculture Victoria H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu) webpage.
Quotes attributable to Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cameron Bell
‘There have been no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry or livestock in Australia, and the risk to Australian livestock remains low.’
‘Independent risk assessments found the risk of H5 bird flu is low for dairy cattle and pigs, and negligible for beef cattle, sheep and goats.’
‘The H5 bird flu virus strain linked to dairy cattle infections in the United States is different from the virus detected in Australia, so those overseas events are not directly comparable to our situation.’
‘Good biosecurity remains the best protection. Protecting feed and water sources, reducing contact between livestock and wild birds where practical, and maintaining good hygiene practices are simple steps that support animal health.’
‘Producers know their animals best. Continue animal health monitoring and report any unusual illness or unexplained deaths promptly so they can be investigated.’
Media contact: sboc.media@agriculture.vic.gov.au