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Following the detection of H5 avian influenza in 2 birds in Western Australia, the Australian CDC will continue to work closely with relevant agencies – including the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing – to assess the risk to human health.
Testing has identified the sample from the first bird as being the globally circulating H5 influenza A strain of concern (H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b).
The risk to human health in Australia is assessed as low:
- Bird flu rarely spreads to people – transmission requires close contact with infected birds or other infected animals, or contaminated environments.
- Spread between people is very rare.
- Bird flu is not a food safety risk for chicken meat and eggs if they are handled and cooked correctly – practise good hand hygiene by washing your hands and utensils after handing animals, eggs or raw meat.
To support the response, we provide guidance for:
- public health units on how to respond to bird flu – including people infected with bird flu or people exposed to the virus
- people who work with birds and wildlife.
Prevention
The best way to protect against bird flu is to:
- wash your hands thoroughly before and immediately after handling any bird (even if healthy)
- stay away from sick or dead birds and their
- surroundings
- droppings
- body fluids
- feathers
- eggs
- not allow pets to touch or eat sick and dead birds
- thoroughly cook meat and eggs before eating.
Getting an annual flu vaccination is important. Although it does not protect against bird flu infection, it protects you from getting sick with human flu and bird flu at the same time.
If you find sick or dead birds
If you find multiple sick or dead birds or animals:
- avoid the area and do not touch the animals
- record your location and what you see (take photos or video, if possible)
- report this information to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Protecting your pets
There are some simple steps you can take to protect backyard poultry and other birds. Find more information at birdflu.gov.au.
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