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Premier Roger Cook declared the state needs to be “extremely worried” about the potential fallout.

WA NewsComments‘Prepare for the worst’: Cook says WA on alert over bird flu

Government officials warn WA to ‘prepare for the worst’ after the dreaded H5 bird flu strain was detected on Australian soil for the first time.

Caitlin Vinci

A national report card has revealed a hospital “logjam” is getting worse at a faster rate in WA than anywhere else in the country, pouring doubt on claims the problem is largely due to growing demand. Inset: WA Health Minister Meredith Hammat.

State PoliticsCommentsPremiumWA’s ambulance ramping getting worse as doctors issue SOS

A national report card has revealed a hospital ‘logjam’ is getting worse at a faster rate in WA than anywhere else in the country, pouring doubt on claims the problem is largely due to growing demand. 

Jessica Page

A second bird has been confirmed as having the deadly H5N1 virus that has sparked fears that WA’s wildlife and poultry industry could be decimated.

Public HealthVideoCommentsSecond case of deadly bird flu confirmed in WA

A second bird has been confirmed as having the deadly H5 virus that has sparked fears that WA’s wildlife and poultry industry could be decimated.

Katina Curtis and Jessica Page

Inghams’ chicken breeder farms and grower network are located primarily in the Muchea, Gingin and Mogumber regions.

AgricultureVideoCommentsPremiumMajor poultry producer implements ‘complete lockdown’ in WA

One of the nation’s major poultry producers, Inghams, has locked down its WA operations after H5N1 avian influenza was detected in two wild birds in Esperance.

Cheyanne Enciso

Western Australia’s multimillion-dollar poultry and agricultural industries are fearing the worst after testing confirmed a deadly strain of bird flu had breached the nation’s borders.

Public HealthCommentsDeadly bird flu breach puts WA poultry farms on high alert

Western Australia’s multimillion-dollar poultry and agricultural industries are fearing the worst after testing confirmed a deadly strain of bird flu had breached the nation’s borders.

Caitlin Vinci

Vanessa Harrison Medical Scientist with pasteurised donor milk at the PREM Bank at KEMH.

HealthCommentsPremiumHow donor milk is saving vulnerable WA babies

The PREM Bank was Australia’s first formal human milk bank and marked its 20th birthday this year, but is facing a critical shortage.

Angela Pownall

Australian Agriculture Minister Julie Collins, Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson and Threatened Species Commissioner Fiona Fraser confirm the outbreak.

Public HealthVideoPremiumWorst fears confirmed as deadly H5 bird flu outbreak hits WA

WA is facing its biggest domestic crisis since the COVID-19 pandemic - but this time its is our precious wildlife that is under threat.

Joe Spagnolo

Skuas are at the top of the Macquarie Island food chain.

Public HealthCommentsHow bird infected with H5 strain ended up on WA coast

An Australian bird expert has shed light on how an Antarctic brown skua that died after contracting the highly contagious H5 bird flu ended up on Western Australia’s coast.

Kellie Balaam

Locals react to being thrust into headlines.

Public HealthCommentsH5 bird flu hits Esperance, businesses fear shutdown

The pristine coastal town of Esperance has been thrust onto the frontlines following the shocking revelation that Australia’s first-ever case of the deadly H5 bird flu has been detected right on its doorstep.

Caitlin Vinci

Australia’s first case of the deadly H5 strain of bird flu has been confirmed in WA.

WA NewsVideoComments‘Disappointing, not unexpected’: H5 bird flu confirmed in WA

Australia’s Agriculture Minister Julie Collins has confirmed the nation’s first case of the deadly H5 strain of bird flu in WA.

Caitlin Vinci and Joe Spagnolo

A Subantartic Skua at Esperance Wildlife Hospital and Sanctuary that was rescued by from drowning in the surf at Cape LeGrand beach. Unknown

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WATCH THE FOOTAGEVideoComments
The West Australian exclusive
Video captures bird suspected of bringing H5 flu to WA

Video footage of the bird suspected of bringing the H5 bird flu to Australia has emerged after the State Government revealed it was waiting on further testing to confirm it carried the deadly strain.

Caitlin Vinci

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development had launched an immediate probe into the matter.

Public HealthVideoCommentsAustralia’s first suspected case of H5 bird flu found in WA

Australia’s first suspected case of a deadly global strain of bird flu has been found in WA, the Federal Government has confirmed.

Caitlin Vinci and Caitlyn Rintoul

One of the Australians still quarantining after being on a hantavirus-striken cruise ship says spending six weeks in isolation will all be worthwhile if it saves even one person from dying.

WA NewsVideoHantavirus cruise passenger breaks silence from quarantine

Peter Marsh has revealed the moment fear among passengers on the doomed MV Hondius cruise ship escalated following the death of the wife of the rodent-borne virus’ first victim. 

Brooke Rolfe

Uptake of the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program is slowly improving, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

HealthMore Aussies screening for one type of cancer

Uptake of a cancer screening program is slowly improving with more than four in five participants returning to screen again at the next opportunity.

Hannah Cross

As a fit man, Stirling mayor Mark Irwin thought he was invincible until he suddenly had a heart attack after a charity soccer match. 

Public HealthCommentsFit mayor’s shock heart attack after charity soccer match

As a fit man, Stirling mayor Mark Irwin thought he was invincible until he suddenly had a heart attack after a charity soccer match. 

Claire Sadler

John Williams with his father Kevin Williams, who passed away from prostate cancer in 2025.

Public HealthCommentsAustralian men delaying ‘critical’ prostate cancer care

Prostate cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer in WA and one of the nation’s leading causes of cancer death, but a new survey has shown why men are delaying getting diagnosed and treated.

Claire Sadler

The WA Government is introducing additional care and support to people leaving hospital following a suicidal crisis after months of scrutiny of the State’s mental health system.

‘Critical’CommentsPremiumMental health outpatient care announced for WA hospitals

The WA Government is introducing additional care and support to people leaving hospital following a suicidal crisis after months of scrutiny of the State’s mental health system.

Kirsty Lichtenstein

A private radiology company has written to Health Minister Meredith Hammat frustrated over the outcome of a meeting it had with her in January where it says it raised serious concerns over billing issues at Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital.

STATE POLITICSPremiumHospital billing concerns still haunting WA Health Minister

Health Minister Meredith Hammat has copped a serve from a private radiology company over the handling of serious billing concerns raised about Kalgoorlie Regional Hospital.

Charlton Hart and Oliver Lane

Liberal Member for O'Connor Rick Wilson.

opinion
opinion
opinionPremium
opinion
Opinion: Rick Wilson says certainty needed on After Hours GP

The Federal Budget’s extension of funding for the Albany GP After Hours Collaborative is a temporary reprieve, rather than a long-term solution, writes Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson.

Melissa Sheil

On Wednesday, the Department issued an alert to the Kimberley and Pilbara regions after detecting Murray Valley encephalitis activity which suggested there was an ongoing risk.

WA NewsPerth woman dies after contracting rare virus in WA’s north

On Wednesday, the Department issued an alert to parts of WA, suggesting there is an ongoing risk.

Rhianna Mitchell

The Royal Flying Doctor Service will be able to reach West Australians in need even quicker than before with a first-of-its-kind plane taking to the skies. Pictured: Rick Ford, general manager at WA Pastoral Fossil Downs and John Howes, RFDS senior nurse.

WA NewsEight new planes coming to WA Royal Flying Doctor Service

The Royal Flying Doctor Service will be able to reach West Australians in need even quicker than before with a first-of-its-kind plane taking to the skies. 

Claire Sadler

Planning and Lands and Housing and Works Minister John Carey holds a press conference at the site of another build-to-rent project under construction in Rivervale

State PoliticsCommentsPremium‘Thought bubble’: Carey won’t back Yanchep hospital promise

John Carey has questioned the $600 million price tag of the Liberal party’s plan to build a hospital in Yanchep, while refusing to detail Labor’s own plans. 

Jessica Page

Dr Chia Saw.

The West Australian exclusive
The West Australian exclusive
WA NewsPremium
The West Australian exclusive
Perth paediatrician’s registration suspended

A Perth developmental paediatrician who is facing child sex assault charges has had his medical registration suspended.

Rhianna Mitchell

Babies and young children exposed to bushfire smoke can have serious long-term complications, according to new research from a Perth university.

HealthCommentsPremiumBabies exposed to bushfire smoke face major health concerns

Babies and young children exposed to bushfire smoke can have serious long-term complications, according to new research from a Perth university.

Eliana Hullett