Resources for bird flu

Avian influenza and your backyard

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a disease carried by wild birds that can cause severe disease in poultry.

There are many strains of the virus, including the H5 strain that’s caused mass poultry deaths overseas.

Australia does not have this strain.

Avian influenza can be carried by wild birds such as ducks, geese, and swans.

If wild birds mix with our backyard poultry and pet birds, the virus can spread to them.

If you own or work with any type of poultry or birds, look for health changes in your birds.

The signs of avian influenza are similar to other bird diseases, so always check with your vet if you notice something unusual.

Look out for:

• single or several birds suddenly dying
• diarrhoea
• birds eating or drinking less
• unusual reduction in egg production
• birds sneezing or looking unwell.

There are simple things you can do to help protect your birds.

Don’t feed wild birds or encourage them to mix with your poultry or pet birds.

Use netting to prevent contact between domestic and wild birds.

Clean your birds’ housing and equipment regularly and don’t share it with other bird owners.

If you bring in new birds, keep them separate and monitor them for at least 30 days before introducing them to your existing flock.

If your poultry are free range, monitor them daily for signs of disease.

Be ready to house your birds separately if they show signs of illness.

Avian influenza does not easily spread to people, and it’s a low risk to the public, but it’s still important to maintain good hygiene around poultry and pet birds.

Avoid touching sick or dead birds, or if you need to touch them, wear gloves and wash your hands afterwards.

Always wash your hands after handling birds, eggs and equipment.

Clothes and shoes should be washed after visiting a bird show, aviary, or chicken run.

If you see sick or dead birds, contact your vet or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Learn the facts about bird flu and how to protect your birds at agriculture.gov.au/birdflu

Disclaimer: This animation may upset some viewers because it can impact totems, birds of cultural significance, and the health of Country.

One day, a group of friends are fishing.

Not far off, Jim notices a shore bird struggling, then wobbling, and finally collapses to the ground.

Jim jumps up to get a closer look, but Pam stops him, telling him that the bird may have a highly infectious virus called bird flu.

Seeing Jim's surprise, Pam explains that the birds migrating between countries can carry bird flu virus.

Lately, a nasty strain of this virus has been causing trouble globally, affecting chickens, wild birds, and other animals, including mammals such as dolphins and seals.

Luckily, Australia doesn't have these strains, but there is a risk migratory birds could bring in the virus.

Jim and his friends learned that people occasionally catch the virus from handling infected birds.

To stay safe, Pam advises that they keep their distance and avoid contact with sick birds.

Bird flu may look like one sick or dead bird or many.

It affects ducks, migratory shore birds, sea birds, birds of prey, and domestic birds like chickens.

The group soon notices more sick birds, some wobbling and others already laying down.

Alarmed, they asked Pam what to do next.

She tells them to avoid record report, avoid contact with sick or dead birds, record the time, date, location of the sighting if you can, take some photos or videos and report to the relevant authorities as soon as possible.

You can also report your findings to a Ranger by security officer, government debt or trusted adult.

Let's help protect Australia from birth flu, so keep watch and report any unusual signs or behaviours in wildlife, including any sick birds or increasing number of bird deaths in the area.