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.
You will be directed to your state and territory government.
We can all play a role in protecting Australia’s unique wildlife from H5 bird flu by reporting sick or dead wildlife and taking steps to reduce the risk of spreading the disease.
How you can help
If H5 bird flu spreads through Australia’s wildlife, some species may face long-term population impacts or even extinction. All wild bird species are at risk from H5 bird flu.
Protecting wild birds from H5 bird flu is a challenge. There is no way to stop wild birds flying to Australia and spreading the virus, but we can all work to reduce the risks.
If you are using parks, nature trails or other areas with wildlife, find out more on how you can help (Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water)
If you see sick or dead birds
Bird flu is a notifiable animal disease. You must report any sick or dead birds.
Avoid contact
If you spot sick or dead birds keep your distance. Don’t touch the birds, their feathers, dropping, eggs, or the area around them. Keep pets away too – don’t let them sniff, touch, or eat the birds.
Record what you see
If safe, take photos or a video. Remember to keep your distance.
Record these details:
- date and time
- location (GPS pin, nearby roads, or landmarks)
- type or description of birds
- how many birds are sick or dead
- what they look like (e.g. freshly dead or just bones, signs of disease)
Report it
Call the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
You will be directed to your state and territory government.
Safe disposal of dead birds
You should only consider disposing of dead birds on your property once you have spoken to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. It is important to dispose of dead birds safely. If you don’t, you could risk getting sick or spreading the virus to other animals.
If you find a dead bird in your backyard
You are responsible for disposing of dead birds found on your property if you do not wish to leave the carcass to decompose where it is. Report multiple sick or dead birds first. Follow any instructions on what to do with the carcass.
Guidance and requirements on disposal of dead wildlife may vary between and within states and territories and may depend on the situation.
Check your state or territory before acting.
On public land
If you are out for a walk or in a park, do not touch or move dead birds or other animals. If you are not the property owner, leave the wildlife where it is and call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 to report what you have found.
Leaving carcasses to decompose is sometimes safer and less disruptive in remote areas. Clean-up could cause wild birds to scatter and spread the virus further.
Public access to the area may be limited during clean-up or decomposition. This is to keep people safe and reduce disturbance.
Wildlife carers
How you work with and care for wildlife is important to help protect Australia’s unique wildlife. To help reduce the spread of bird flu you should:
- have a biosecurity plan in place
- make sure injured or sick birds in care do not mingle with any pet birds or other animals
- keep aviaries and animal handling equipment clean, this includes bedding.
Wildlife Health Australia has a free online toolkit for people who care for wildlife.
People who manage wildlife populations can take steps to prepare for a potential outbreak.
You need to be aware of:
- the signs and symptoms of H5 bird flu
- how it spreads
- how to prepare your property or site
Work safely with birds
If you work with or handle birds, follow personal protective measures. Find out more about how to protect yourself on the human health page.
The interim Australian Centre for Disease Control has developed a bird flu toolkit to help protect people who work with birds.
Bird flu signs in wildlife
Keep watch for unusual signs of disease or mass mortalities in domesticated birds, wild birds or other wildlife. Find out more on H5 bird flu in wildlife.
Resources
There is no way to prevent new strains of bird flu entering Australia with migratory wild birds or transmission between wild birds.
Wildlife Health Australia has toolkits and information to understand and prepare for H5 bird flu if you work with wild birds and animals.