Avian influenza (AI) is a nationally notifiable disease which means if you suspect an animal is showing signs of the disease, you must report it. If any bird owner is suspicious of AI, they should contact a veterinarian or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 to arrange for sampling and testing.

If suspect live birds or carcasses must be handled, precautions should be taken such as the use of a facemask, eye protection, gloves and coveralls. If needing to move a bird carcass (e.g. for submission for testing, or disposal) an inverted bag should be used to grasp the carcass for secure bagging.

If you see any unusual signs of disease, behaviour or unexplained death in your poultry or kept birds, immediately call your veterinarian, an LLS District Vet or the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline 1800 675 888.

Avian influenza is a different virus to the “seasonal flu” which affects humans on an annual basis.

Avian influenza has the potential to infect humans, causing a range of potential symptoms including fever, cough, sore throat, running nose, muscle aches, headache, fatigue and shortness of breath or difficulty breathing. The risk of humans becoming infected with AI after contact with infected birds or bird carcasses is low; however, if suspect live birds or carcasses must be handled, precautions should be taken such as the use of a facemask, eye protection, gloves, and coveralls. If needing to move a bird carcass (e.g., for submission for testing, or disposal) an inverted bag should be used to grasp the carcass for secure bagging.

The risk of humans catching avian influenza from eating cooked chicken meat or egg products is negligible.  Chicken meat or eggs from infected flocks cannot enter the human food chain, and the virus is killed through the cooking process.

For more information about AI and the human health, see NSW Health: Avian influenza in humans (“bird flu”)

Waterfowl are considered natural reservoir hosts for avian influenza (AI) virus and in many instances can be infected with and transmit AI without showing any symptoms. Avian influenza virus can be rapidly spread by close contact between birds or contact with bird faeces. Movements of contaminated people, equipment and vehicles are also possible pathways of AI spread.

AI viruses are classified based on their ability to induce disease in chickens (pathogenicity) and associated genomic characteristics:

• High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is of most concern and has been implicated in 8 outbreaks in poultry in Australia to date (each case was eradicated successfully).
• Low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) viruses normally circulate through wild bird populations; however, there is risk of these LPAI viruses evolving to become HPAI viruses in domestic poultry. For this reason, it is important to ensure a high level of biosecurity for domestic poultry and birds and prevent their contact with wild birds and waterfowl.

HPAI has the potential to cause significant mortality (death) in wild bird and mammal populations with resultant impacts on biodiversity.  Since 2020 a HPAI of type H5N1 has been circulating through wild bird populations globally, causing significant mortality rates in wild birds, domestic poultry and some wild mammal populations (e.g. marine mammals). Australia has not been affected by this H5N1 virus but remains at risk via migratory bird movements and people and equipment coming from overseas.