In News:

Gentoo penguins have been confirmed infected with H5 avian influenza (H5N1, clade 2.3.4.4b) on Heard Island, marking the first recorded bird infection in an Australian external territory. Earlier (November 2025), the virus had been detected in southern elephant seals. The strain has caused widespread mortality among seabirds and poultry globally.

About Gentoo Penguin

Taxonomy

• Scientific Name: Pygoscelis papua
• Genus: Pygoscelis
• Closely related to: Adélie penguin, and Chinstrap penguin
• Distribution: Antarctic Peninsula, Sub-Antarctic islands, Falkland Islands (South Atlantic Ocean), and Exclusively found in the Southern Hemisphere (45°–65° South latitude)
• Habitat: Prefer shoreline habitats, enabling quick access to marine food while nesting nearby.
• Characteristics
  • Fastest underwater swimmers among penguins.
  • Diurnal and highly social.
  • Breed in colonies; remain in groups year-round.
  • Diet: Carnivorous (mainly fish, krill, squid).
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Least Concern

H5N1 Avian Influenza – Key Facts

• Highly pathogenic strain: H5N1 (clade 2.3.4.4b)
• Highly contagious and deadly among: Seabirds, Wild birds, Poultry, and Marine mammals (e.g., southern elephant seals, Antarctic fur seals)

Detection & Testing

• Preliminary tests conducted at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO)’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.
• Samples collected during a scientific voyage (February 2026).

Observations

• No signs of large-scale mass mortality in surveyed areas.
• Australia’s national H5 bird flu–free status remains unchanged.
• Government has committed over A$100 million toward preparedness and biosecurity measures.

About Heard Island

• Australian external territory.
• Located:
  • ~4,000 km south-west of Perth
  • ~1,700 km north of Antarctica

• Situated in the Southern Ocean.
• Remote and ecologically sensitive sub-Antarctic ecosystem.