If you notice sick or dead birds or other animals, you should not touch them. If there are multiple dead birds or other animals, take photos or a video.
Record your location and report it to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Help protect our community, wildlife and farmers against bird flu.
What is H5 bird flu
Bird flu is a type of virus that mainly affects birds. It can also affect other animals and, on rare occasions, humans.
If you don’t work directly with birds, your risk of catching bird flu in Australia is low. Find out more on bird flu and your health.
Avian influenza virus strains are described as either:
- low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI), or
- high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI)
Most LPAI strains of the bird flu virus cause minimal disease in wild birds and poultry. HPAI strains have high mortality rates. Some LPAI strains can evolve into HPAI strains when they spread among poultry.
Different HPAI strains have different risks. For example, H7 strains such as H7N9, have previously caused serious outbreaks in poultry in Australia. Overseas, the highly contagious H5 strain (H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b) has caused severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and affected mammals.
Australia has successfully contained and eradicated H7 bird flu strains in the past, but Australia has never had H5 bird flu.
In recent years H5 bird flu has spread fast around the world. The wild birds that are most affected include waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds and birds of prey or scavengers. Marine mammals have also been affected, with some detections in other animals like cats, goats, alpacas and pigs.
H5 bird flu has been detected in:
- domestic pets including cats and dogs
- farm animals including dairy cows, and sporadically pigs, sheep and goats
- marine mammals including dolphins and seals
- wild animals including foxes and polar bears
Australia is currently the only continent free from this strain of H5 bird flu.
Signs of bird flu
Infected animals might look very sick—or show no signs at all. Sometimes birds can die suddenly without warning.
That’s why it’s important to report any sick or dead birds or other animals, even if you're unsure.
Common signs of bird flu in animals
Keep watch for signs of bird flu.
Wild birds
- can’t stand, walk, or fly properly
- droopy or puffed-up appearance
- breathing problems (panting or sneezing)
- unusual head or neck posture
- sudden death (especially in large numbers)
Poultry (chickens, ducks, etc.)
- sudden drop in egg production
- lethargy or not eating/drinking
- swollen head or limbs
- bruising on comb, feet, or skin
- breathing issues or runny nose
- sudden death
Mammals (seals, cows, cats, etc.)
- weakness or tiredness
- trouble walking or breathing
- seizures, tremors or walking in circles
- drooling or runny nose
- sudden illness or death
Bird flu can only be confirmed through laboratory testing. Samples must be collected by a veterinarian or government animal health officer.
How bird flu spreads
Infected birds can spread the virus through body fluids, droppings and feathers. In the right conditions, the virus can survive in the environment for months.
The virus can spread through contaminated clothing and shoes. It can also spread through animals, vehicles and equipment, and items like egg cartons.
People can sometimes get bird flu through close contact with infected birds or contaminated areas. Most bird flu strains do not spread easily from animals to people. There is no evidence that the current H5 bird flu strain spreads between people.
Bird flu in Australia
The 2025 H7 HPAI outbreak in Victoria was eradicated in June 2025. This is a different strain to the H5 bird flu strain that is circulating overseas.
We have contained and eradicated H7 HPAI several times over the past 50 years. This demonstrates the strength of our established national response arrangements.
We are preparing for a possible outbreak of H5 bird flu in Australia. We are working with state and territory governments, industry and the non-government sector. Together we will enhance preparedness and national response capabilities.
Find out more on what we are doing to prepare for bird flu.