Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses circulate in wild waterfowl and can infect other wild birds. For most strains of bird flu, clinical disease in wild birds is rare. Some strains cause clinical disease and death in many wild bird species.
A highly contagious strain of H5 bird flu is spreading overseas. If this strain spreads through Australia’s wildlife, species may face long-term population impacts or even extinction. All wild bird species should be assumed to be at risk from H5 bird flu.
In Australia, people in contact with wild birds, including wildlife carers and duck shooters, are at low risk of a bird flu infection.
You should, however, wear personal protective equipment when handling live or dead birds.
Hygiene is vital so thoroughly wash hands with soap before and after handling wild birds.
Signs of bird flu in wild birds
Infected live wild birds may show a wide range of clinical signs, including:
- incoordination, tremors, swimming in circles
- twisted necks or other abnormal posture
- inability to stand or fly
- diarrhoea
- difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
- swelling around the head, neck and eyes
- cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes
- sudden death.
If you encounter sick or dead wild birds and suspect bird flu, do not handle any birds but report them to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or contact your local veterinarian.
Protecting wild birds
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 risk mitigation toolboxes designed to guide wildlife managers to plan and prepare for bird flu in free-ranging wildlife. These can be downloaded for free from Wildlife Health Australia’s HPAI risk mitigation toolboxes page.