Inghams has placed its Western Australian farms and processing operations into complete lockdown after authorities confirmed Australia’s first detection of the high pathogenicity H5 avian influenza strain that has spread globally since 2020.
The ASX-listed processor (ASX: ING) said it had moved to a state of heightened biosecurity vigilance, barring all non-essential access across its WA sites as a precaution and adding to its standard protocols. There has been no detection in commercial poultry, including Inghams’ operations and supply chain, and the company said it continues to supply the Australian market as usual.
Testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness confirmed H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza in a brown skua found near Esperance in WA. A second migratory seabird, a giant petrel, has also tested positive for H5 and is undergoing confirmatory testing. Both were found in an isolated national park area. Inghams characterised the strain as H5N1, the subtype of global concern that Australia had remained free of until now.
Inghams’ breeder farms and grower network sit primarily in the Muchea, Gingin and Mogumber regions north of Perth, roughly 690 to 770 kilometres from Esperance.
The company is seeking a regional housing order from the Australian chief veterinary officer that would allow WA free-range poultry to be kept indoors. An Australian Competition and Consumer Commission exemption order is in place to protect the continuation of free-range product supply and labelling should such an order be enacted.
National Farmers’ Federation president, Hamish McIntyre, said the detection in the two seabirds was serious but manageable.
“Australia has successfully managed other avian influenza strains in recent years, and the risk to humans remains low,” he said.
McIntyre said Australia had worked hard to remain the only continent free of the H5N1 strain that has spread globally since 2020.
The federal government has invested more than $113 million in H5 preparedness and established a dedicated taskforce in 2024, running national simulation exercises since.
Australian chief veterinary officer, Dr Beth Cookson, said the detection was being taken seriously and that Australia had been preparing for the scenario for several years.
There have been no detections in poultry and no evidence of mass mortality. Authorities say H5 bird flu poses a low risk to the public, and that eggs and poultry meat are safe to eat when handled and cooked to standard food-safety practices.
Producers and the public are urged to report sick or dead birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
