Avian influenza update

Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is a virus that affects all kinds of birds from poultry to migratory shorebirds, sea birds and waterfowl.

While many strains of avian influenza cause minimal symptoms, others, such as high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 known as H5 bird flu, can have devastating impacts on bird populations and pose a risk to human health, especially in environments where people work with or are exposed to birds.

Who is most at risk of exposure?

People at the highest risk of exposure are those who work with birds and/or in environments with birds and their excrement including:

• parks and wildlife workers (including volunteers)
• poultry production and processing workers
• veterinary staff
• animal refuge and rehabilitation workers (including volunteers)
• groundskeepers
• council workers
• bird breeders and/or bird display workers
• researchers and laboratory workers who handle bird specimens
• people who hunt and handle or butcher wild birds.

Avian influenza and workplace safety

To keep your workplace and employees safe apply the following steps now:

• If you see sick or dead birds or other animals, do not touch them. Record your location and report multiple sick or dead birds or other animals to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia.
• Avoid contact. Record what you see. Report to 1800 675 888.
• If you see more than five deceased birds near each other, report it to:
  • Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23
  • If handling sick or dead birds is necessary – The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) national guidelines for avian influenza – Protecting people who work with birds and wildlife | Australian Centre for Disease Control

Other ways to keep your workplace and employees safe include:

• wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking, vaping or smoking, and after handling birds, droppings or any contaminated equipment
• when using hand sanitizer, make sure it has at least 60 per cent alcohol, and wash hands with soap and water as soon as possible
• cover any cuts or abrasions with clean, dry bandages
• don’t eat, drink, vape or smoke in areas where birds or their droppings are present
• wear clean clothes and footwear when working around birds and avoid direct contact—yes, that includes kissing the birds!

Avian influenza continues to be a key focus for our industry. Staying alert and following effective biosecurity, hygiene, and safety protocols can help businesses protect their workforce, minimise risk, and support the health and wellbeing of the wider community.

More information

• Avian influenza (bird flu)
• Managing the work environment and facilities Code of Practice 2021 (PDF, 0.5 MB)
• Wildlife Health Australia HPAI risk mitigation toolboxes
• Avian influenza (bird flu) – Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Biosecurity risks to poultry farms
• Avian influenza in humans (bird flu) – Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
• AUSVETPLAN – avian influenza Information and resources about H5 bird flu are available at birdflu.gov.au
• The Animal Health Committee (AHC) has released National H5 HPAI Guidelines for Veterinarians(PDF)
• The Communicable Diseases Network Australia provides national guidelines for employers to protect people who work with birds and wildlife from bird flu.