Avian influenza is a viral disease that mainly affects birds. A strain of avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b (H5 bird flu) has caused disease outbreaks overseas, with mass mortalities and illness in wild birds, commercial poultry and some mammals, particularly marine mammals.
H5 bird flu is highly transmissible between birds and has spread rapidly between continents due largely to normal wild bird movements. The natural migration of wild birds from the northern hemisphere to Australia during migration season (peaking between September to November annually) is a high-risk period for H5 bird flu to reach Australia. State and federal governments currently have a strong focus on preparing for an incursion of H5 bird flu.
H5 bird flu differs from the less severe H7 strains of avian influenza responsible for disease outbreaks on commercial poultry farms in NSW, Victoria and the ACT in 2024.
Expected impact of H5 bird flu
H5 bird flu is expected to have significant negative impacts on the commercial poultry industry, food supplies, biodiversity and potentially human health.
Surveillance and preparedness are vital so authorities can act swiftly and effectively.
Internationally, commercial poultry, seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds, birds of prey (e.g. eagles, hawks), and marine mammals have been the most affected wildlife groups. However, all wild bird species and many mammalian species are at risk from H5 bird flu or may contribute to transmission of the virus. We do not know how H5 bird flu will impact our unique Australian wildlife, but government and conservation experts are now acting to boost the protection of our endangered and threatened wildlife species.
Government agencies play a key role in wildlife surveillance to support the rapid response to potential or confirmed H5 bird flu cases. Staff should also be prepared to address community questions and concerns.
Be alert for signs of H5 bird flu in wild birds or mammals and know the appropriate steps to take if you suspect an outbreak.
How is H5 bird flu spread
The H5 bird flu virus is found in saliva and faeces as well as the tissues and fluids (blood) of infected animals and birds and their eggs (if uncooked).
The virus can also spread through movements of birds and contaminated eggs, equipment, vehicles, clothing, footwear, aerosols, water, feed, manure, biting insects and people.
Birds of prey and animals that scavenge carcasses may be infected if they consume a carcass infected with H5 bird flu.
The H5 bird flu virus can persist in the environment for extended periods under favourable environmental conditions.
For these reasons, H5 bird flu is a significant and constant biosecurity risk to Australia.
H5 bird flu surveillance in migratory seabirds
Mass mortalities or “wrecks” of migrating seabirds occur annually along the coastlines of Australia, generally in spring. These mass mortalities are considered a normal by-product of long migration. DPIRD conducts routine surveillance on dead migratory seabirds along the coast of NSW to test for H5 bird flu and other notifiable avian diseases.
Preparedness planning for government agencies
Government agencies can:
- Ensure staff and contractors are briefed about the current situation, what to look for and how to report if H5 bird flu is suspected.
- Exercise good baseline biosecurity during field operations, including use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene practices, particularly for people working with or around wildlife. Guidance is provided in the Wildlife Health Australia Risk Mitigation Toolbox for Wildlife Managers.
- Provide guidance to staff and the community on the disposal of carcasses, including managing risks to human health. The collection and disposal of carcasses is the responsibility of each respective landholder and/or land manager; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples land manager staff or key partners should be consulted for cultural considerations. Options for dealing with dead wild birds on public or private land include leaving them to decompose naturally, disposal in the council red bin, burial, disposal at a local landfill. Guidance is available in the Disposal of bird carcasses from public and private land guidelines.
- Local Government and Councils should identify and map sites within the LGA that are known habitats for marine mammals, seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds or birds of prey. Consider what level of public interaction with animals is possible at these sites and conduct risk assessments to determine if public access restrictions should be planned for, with suitable material resources such as the NSW government biosecurity public signage and mobile barrier fencing, prepared and stockpiled.
- Share advisory materials (including signage and information from this fact sheet) with staff, contractors and stakeholders, providing information about symptoms in wildlife and reporting processes for H5 bird flu.
- Share and distribute current information about H5 bird flu from trusted government sources, including social media feeds from NSW Biosecurity.
Response to a possible H5 bird flu outbreak
The NSW State Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN) and the Biosecurity (Animal and Plant) Emergency Sub Plan identify NSW DPIRD as the Combat Agency for biosecurity emergencies in NSW. NSW DPIRD follows established processes when responding to biosecurity emergencies such as an avian influenza outbreak. Other NSW Government agencies and Local Government may support NSW DPIRD to respond to wildlife impacts from an H5 bird flu outbreak, in line with arrangements under the NSW Environmental Services Functional Area Supporting Plan.
In a large outbreak, the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry will also provide national response coordination, including coordinating requests for human resources or specialist expertise.
The NSW EPA and Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) (including NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service) are collaborating with NSW DPIRD on H5 bird flu preparedness activities. Under the NSW Environmental Services Functional Area (EnvSFA) Supporting Plan, DCCEEW will support an H5 response in wildlife, particularly in providing specialist advice and services to help protect biodiversity, priority wildlife species and populations, and will lead post-impact wildlife recovery.
Government agencies may also be asked to assist in preparedness and response activities, including surveillance activities, reporting, sample collection, and disposal operations.
What can be done with wildlife or owned birds that have H5 bird flu?
International experience has shown that most wildlife and birds affected by H5 bird flu are unlikely to survive and there is no reliable treatment available for H5 bird flu in wildlife. A range of mitigation and response measures are being considered by relevant biosecurity and wildlife health organisations in Australia and globally. These range from surveillance and biosecurity measures, through to humane euthanasia on welfare grounds, and wildlife carcass management. General guidance on response actions is provided in Wildlife Health Australia’s Risk Mitigation Toolbox for Wildlife Managers.
Government agencies can take precautionary and preparatory measures now (as outlined on page 3) that can assist in mitigating local impacts of H5 bird flu.
Risk to humans
Whilst a small number of human infections of H5 bird flu have been reported globally, the World Health Organisation considers the general risk of human infection to be low, with most reported cases having had close contact with infected birds and contaminated environments. Avoiding contact with sick birds or wildlife is therefore important to reduce the risk of humans becoming infected.
If wildlife must be moved, use no-touch methods and appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and hygiene practices.
Should H5 bird flu be detected in Australia, more detailed advice will be provided, including PPE and training requirements to reduce animal-to-animal transmission, animal-to-human transmission and environmental contamination.
The level of PPE required depends on the level of anticipated contact with a carcass
NSW Health advises that at a minimum, PPE must include:
- disposable gloves or gloves that can be disinfected
- close-fitting mask/respirator (must be P2/N95 protection level)
- eye protection
- protective footwear that can be cleaned
- no touch technique (e.g. use of equipment to pick up and dispose of carcass)
- proper cleaning and disinfection of equipment and materials
Also:
- perform hand hygiene, either with alcohol-based hand rub or by washing hands with soap and water if visibly soiled: this should be done regularly, but especially before and after contact with animals/carcasses and their environments
- avoid touching the nose, eyes or mouth with the hands during work/collecting and disposing of carcasses
- showering and changing into clean clothes after work, if feasible, is also recommended.
Further information about Avian influenza can be found on the NSW Health website.
Signage
BioResponse App
You can download BioResponse NSW to receive real-time updates and instructions on what to do in the case of an outbreak.
Key references and resources
H5 bird flu resources, including factsheets, posters and signs are available here
- NSW Government H5 Avian Influenza preparedness website
- DPIRD Avian Influenza website
- Australian Government Avian Influenza website
- WHA H5 bird flu resource centre
- WHA Factsheet: Avian Influenza in Wild Birds in Australia
- State Emergency Management Plan (EMPLAN) | NSW Government
- Emergency-management-subplan-biosecurity-animal-and-plant-emergency.pdf
- NSW Environmental Services Functional Area Supporting Plan
- Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, the World Health Organisation and the World Organization for Animal Health
- Free online emergency animal disease (EAD) foundational training
- Sydney Coastal Councils Group H5N1 factsheet
- NSW Health's public guidance on handling wildlife
- NSW Health (avian influenza)