26/06/2026
Thank you WA Horse Council for this timely and informative post. We encourage you to read and share with fellow horse owners and riders.
⚠️ MEMBER ALERT: H5 Bird Flu Confirmed in WA ⚠️
UPDATE: As of 20 June 2026, H5 Bird Flu has now been detected in Australia after a Brown Skua tested positive near Esperance. Because trail riders are out in the bush and along coastlines, we play a vital role in early detection.
🐴 CAN HORSES CONTRACT IT?
Yes, but it is extremely rare, and there have been ZERO cases in Australian horses.
A study by the University of Glasgow (Emerging Infectious Diseases, Jan 2025) found the first evidence of H5N1 antibodies in horses in Mongolia.
No Symptoms: The infected horses never actually got sick.
No Herd Spread: It was caught individually from drinking at lakes crowded with wild birds. It does not spread horse-to-horse.
The Main Risk: Scientists' biggest concern is "reassortment"—the risk of bird flu combining with standard equine flu to create a new strain.
🥾 COMMON SENSE TRAILS & PROPERTY CARE:
Keep an Eye on Local Birds: Water-associated birds are most at risk. Watch out for beach species (Silver Gulls, Little Penguins), wetland birds (Black Swans, Pelicans), and raptors (Wedge-tailed Eagles) that scavenge on carcasses.
Avoid & Record: If you notice unusual signs of disease or find clusters of dead birds, Take photos or video and note your exact location.
Report: Call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Please share this with your fellow riders so we can keep our trails and horses safe!
