How bird flu can spread

H5 bird flu spreads easily and can infect wildlife, backyard poultry, pet birds and other animals. It can spread through contact with:

• infected animals, wildlife or feral chickens
• contaminated clothing, shoes, equipment, egg cartons, or vehicles
• contaminated dust or air.

Some activities may increase the risk of spread.

These include:

• handling sick or dead birds or animals
• hunting or harvesting animals that are dead or appear sick
• cutting up dead animals
• eating uncooked or bloody meat or eggs
• touching bird or animal droppings, feathers or contaminated equipment
• visiting or working in places where H5 bird flu is present
• allowing dogs to eat sick or dead animals.

Protect yourself and your community

Talk with Elders, rangers and community leaders about ways to keep H5 bird flu out of the community.

Work together to identify risks and reduce the impact on poultry and other birds and animals.

Steps to reduce the risk of bird flu:

• avoid contact with sick or dead birds or animals
• keep dogs and cats away from, or eating, sick or dead birds or animals
• report unusual animal deaths
• avoid touching your face (nose, eyes or mouth)
• wash your hands and utensils with soap and water after handling animals, eggs or raw meat
• clean and disinfect equipment, vehicles and clothing
• thoroughly cook meat and eggs all the way through (no blood in cooked meat)
• follow local biosecurity advice (e.g. steps that help stop the spread of disease)
• share trusted information with community members
• get an annual flu vaccination to help reduce the risk of getting H5 bird flu and seasonal flu at the same time.

Risk to people

The risk of bird flu infecting people is low.

If you hunt birds or other animals, collect eggs, handle wildlife, or come in contact with sick or dead birds, you should be extra careful.

See more on bird flu and human health (Australian Centre for Disease Control).

Risk to Country and traditional practices

Bird flu does pose a risk to wildlife, including culturally significant species, totems and traditional practices.

Overseas, H5 bird flu has caused a lot of deaths in wild birds and some mammals.

If culturally important species are affected, this may impact hunting, cultural harvesting, ceremony, knowledge sharing and caring for Country.

Backyard chickens and pet birds

If you own backyard poultry or other birds, these simple steps will help protect them:

• keep equipment and enclosures clean
• prevent contact between your birds and wild birds
• keep food and water clean
• practice good hygiene
• limit visitor access to birds.