What we know about Australia's latest bird flu outbreak

H5N1 BIRD FLU IN AUSTRALIA

HOW MANY CONFIRMED CASES ARE THERE IN AUSTRALIA?

* There are five confirmed cases of H5N1 bird flu as of July 3

* June 19 - brown skua confirmed in Esperance, about 700km south of Perth, WA

* June 23 - giant petrel confirmed in Esperance, WA

* June 24 - giant petrel confirmed in Port Elliot, about 80km south of Adelaide, SA

* June 27 - giant petrel confirmed in Quindalup, about 250km south of Perth, WA

* June 30 - giant petrel confirmed 30km west of Esperance, WA

* A potential sixth case was found in a giant petrel near Hawks Nest, NSW

WHAT WE KNOW ABOUT H5N1

* It is a highly contagious and deadly virus spread among birds and animals

* It first appeared in a goose in southern China in 1996 and has since killed more than 300 million birds worldwide

* Australia became the last continent in the world to have H5N1 virus on its shores when it arrived in June

* Infected birds can transmit the virus through body fluids, droppings, and feathers

* There is no effective treatment for this virus

WHAT'S AT RISK?

* Farmers in commercial poultry have gone into lockdown because a breakout can wipe out entire livestock farms, causing severe financial burden

* Native Australian wildlife species are at risk of serious decline, including the Tasmanian devil, the orange-bellied parrot, and the Australian sea lion

* For domestic pets, experts suggest keeping cats indoors and dogs on leashes when outside, as the virus can cause severe illness or fatalities

CAN H5N1 AFFECT HUMANS?

* H5N1 spreads easily between animals, but not to humans

* There is no evidence humans can spread it to each other

* The risk to human health is low