Is bird flu infecting humans? How would we know?

Is bird flu infecting humans? How would we know?

Bird flu is circulating among birds on the Australian mainland. So with the confirmed number of detections growing, you may be wondering about the risk of birds infecting humans. So far in 2026, no humans in Australia have been diagnosed with the currently circulating strain. And evidence from overseas indicates that in the rare situation this would occur, illness would generally be mild. But not everyone with flu-like symptoms gets tested. And …

Is bird flu infecting humans? How would we know?

Allen Cheng, Monash University Bird flu is circulating among birds on the Australian mainland. So with the confirmed number of detections growing, you may be wondering about the risk of birds infecting humans. So far in 2026, no humans in Australia have been diagnosed with the currently circulating strain. And evidence from overseas indicates that in the rare situation this would occur, illness would generally be mild. But not everyone with flu-…