H5 bird flu presents a unique risk to Australia's unique wildlife. The H5N1 strain currently spreading overseas has caused large numbers of deaths in seabirds, shorebirds and marine mammals. Migratory birds that travel from Asia to our shores can carry the virus.
We are boosting our H5 bird flu preparedness planning and protective activities by using the best available data to target actions for our most at-risk wildlife species and important natural places.
You can help by:
- avoiding contact with sick or dead wild birds and other wildlife
- keeping pets and children away from wildlife
- not feeding or handling wild birds and other wildlife
- reporting any unusual signs of illness or deaths of wild birds and other wildlife, particularly waterbirds, seabirds or marine mammals, to your local wildlife authority (e.g. NSW National Parks and Wildlife) or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline – 1800 675 888
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.
Resources
H5 bird flu resources, including factsheets, posters and signs are available here