What is H5 bird flu?
H5 bird flu (H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza) is a highly contagious viral disease of birds that is found globally, including recently in Australia.
All bird species can get H5 bird flu. It can cause severe illness and death in poultry, wild birds and some other wildlife species.
What you can do
Please avoid contact with sick or dead birds, poultry and wildlife, and report sightings.
Watch for signs of bird flu. Reporting will be key to the early detection of H5 bird flu in Victoria.
How to report sick or dead birds and wildlife
For poultry:
• If you suspect H5 bird flu in your poultry, including in chickens you keep in your back yard, please call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888.
For other birds and wildlife:
• avoid contact with sick or dead wild birds or wildlife and their environment
• record what you see
• report wildlife sickness or deaths using this form or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
After a report, the Victoria’s Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) will assess it and decide if testing is needed.
Every report helps – thank you for helping protect Manningham and Victoria’s wildlife.
Protecting your birds from bird flu
Good biosecurity is the key to protecting your backyard poultry against bird flu. You can:
• keep wild birds away from your birds by using housing and netting
• keep bird feed and water in an area that wild birds can’t access
• keep poultry coops, aviaries and equipment clean
• keep new birds quarantined before integrating them with your flock
• keep up your hand hygiene – wash hands with soap before and after handling birds and eggs.
Visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu for the latest advice on protecting your birds, giving eggs to family and friends, selling eggs and other frequently asked questions.
Where to find more information
For the latest updates and more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu.
