What bird flu is
Bird flu is caused by influenza A viruses, like those causing human flu.
Bird flu mainly infects birds but can also spread to other animals and on rare occasions, humans.
Current situation
A strain of H5 avian influenza (bird flu) has moved quickly around the world, causing widescale outbreaks in poultry, wild birds and mammals.
This strain is called highly pathogenic avian influenza A virus subtype H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b.
It has not been detected in any birds or other animals in Australia.
Migratory wild birds may bring H5 bird flu into Australia and infect common Australian wild birds, poultry, pet birds and other animals.
The Australian Government is planning a whole-of-government response for the potential arrival of H5 bird flu in Australia.
Australia had one reported bird flu case in a human in 2024. The person was infected overseas, received treatment in Australia, and made a full recovery. They did not have the H5 bird flu strain that is spreading globally now.
Read the latest global bird flu information.
Risk to humans
Most bird flu viruses don’t spread easily from animals to humans. Human infections are rare and typically occur after close contact with infected birds, animals or contaminated environments.
The risk to Australians is low.
Bird flu and food
Bird flu is not a food safety concern for consumers.
All food products in Australia must meet strict food safety production requirements before entering the commercial food chain.
This includes testing for diseases like bird flu during outbreaks.
There is no evidence that people can be infected with bird flu by consuming meat or eggs prepared in line with normal safe food handling practices.
Learn more about commercial food safety.
Who is at risk
People who spend a lot of time around animals infected with bird flu are at higher risk of being infected themselves.
Learn how you can help protect yourself or your employees from bird flu.
Symptoms in humans
People who become infected with bird flu usually have mild symptoms. But some may become very sick and need to go to hospital.
Look out for symptoms for 10 days from your last contact with infected animals, their products or their environments.
If you are infected, you might not show any symptoms, or you might get:
- fever
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or blocked nose
- eye redness (conjunctivitis)
- muscle or body aches
- fatigue
- shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- pneumonia.
Less common signs and symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, or seizures.
Prevention
There are simple steps you can take to help keep yourself safe from bird flu.
Always wash your hands thoroughly before and after handling birds, their products and their environments.
If you see a sick or dead bird:
- keep your distance and do not touch them or their surroundings, including their feathers, eggs or bodily fluids
- avoid areas they live in or move through
- do not allow your pets to touch or eat them.
If you see multiple dead birds or other animals, report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. You can do this by taking a photo or video of the animals and your location and calling 1800 675 888.
Vaccination
All people in Australia aged 6 months or over are recommended to receive a seasonal influenza vaccination every year.
This is especially important for people who work with birds or travel overseas to countries with a bird flu outbreak.
A seasonal influenza vaccination will not protect against bird flu. But it does reduce your risk of being infected with seasonal flu and bird flu at the same time. When viruses have a chance to mix together, they can become dangerous for human health.
Travelling overseas
Before you travel
Check the health advice for each country you are visiting on Smartraveller.
During your travel
If you are travelling to areas affected by the virus:
- minimise contact with animals in areas affected by bird flu
- avoid contact with dead or sick animals, especially birds
- avoid poultry farms and live bird 'wet' markets
- wash your hands often and thoroughly, especially after contact with animals, their products and their environments
- cook poultry or poultry products thoroughly before eating
- do not consume raw (unpasteurised) milk
- regularly check for updated health advice for each country you are visiting on Smartraveller
Seeking medical advice
If you have had contact with infected, sick or dead animals, especially birds, in the previous 10 days and develop symptoms:
- call your doctor and tell them you have been around sick animals
- stay home and away from other people as much as possible while you are unwell
- wear a mask to protect others if you cannot stay home, or you need to go out
- wash your hands often
- cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, throw away used tissues, then wash your hands.
Mental health support and services
Experiencing a disease outbreak in your workplace or community can be stressful and may affect your mental health.
See where to find mental health support.
For health professionals
If a patient presents with respiratory symptoms after suspected exposure to avian influenza virus:
- collect a specimen for laboratory testing
- provide adequate clinical and epidemiological information on the pathology request form, such as
- higher risk occupation
- travel to an outbreak area
- exposure to an infected person or animal
- call the laboratory in advance to let them know the specimen is on its way.
Read more about the public health management of avian influenza cases.
Reporting a case
Follow your state and territory protocols for notification of a case of avian influenza.
State and territory health departments use the surveillance case definition to decide whether to notify the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care.
This document outlines the requirements for confirmed, probable and suspected cases.
Laboratory testing
Diagnostic laboratories across Australia can detect and confirm the diagnosis of avian influenza, but not all laboratories can confirm the strain.
In some cases, samples are referred to specialised laboratories for additional testing.
Laboratory professionals use the influenza laboratory case definition as a standard to:
- confirm a diagnosis of influenza in Australia
- find out how to refer a sample for further testing, if required.
The case definition includes:
- the criteria for diagnosis of influenza (including avian influenza)
- the different types of testing
- the clinical specimens to use.
Some avian influenza viruses that are of high risk to humans (such as influenza A virus subtype H5N1) are classified as Security Sensitive Biological Agents.
Laboratories handling these strains must follow strict regulatory requirements. Read more about the Security Sensitive Biological Agent Regulatory Scheme.
Current strains of avian influenza
See the latest information on current strains of avian influenza and outbreaks.