AviFluMap: An interactive tool to assess H5N1 avian influenza incursion risk in Australia via migratory birds

The current panzootic of clade 2.3.4.4b H5Nx high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 HPAI bird flu) has resulted in unprecedented global impacts on both wild bird populations and poultry industries. Despite the virus' near-global circulation, Australia remains free of this strain. In response to the need for proactive biosecurity and conservation planning, we developed AviFluMap, an interactive tool that integrates global data on H5 HPAI events in birds, migratory bird pathways, species susceptibility assessments, and bird aggregation maps to evaluate the incursion risk and establishment of H5 bird flu via wild birds, with special reference to Australia. AviFluMap ( https://hpairisk.deakin.edu.au ) provides a transparent, data-driven platform for use by a range of stake holders such as wildlife managers, government agencies, researchers, and livestock industry, to support H5 bird flu preparedness and response planning. This article outlines the structure and functionality of AviFluMap, its data sources and methodology, and its role in informing risk-based surveillance and preparedness strategies. • AviFluMap assesses H5 avian influenza incursion risk to Australia. • Integrates global outbreak data with bird migration and predicted susceptibility. • Supports biosecurity, conservation, and surveillance planning. • Interactive, transparent tool for researchers and decision-makers. • Highlights key pathways and hotspots for H5 HPAI spread via wild birds to Australia.