Bird flu (avian influenza)

About bird flu

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is an infectious disease caused by strains of influenza virus. These are similar to the viruses that cause influenza (flu) in humans.

Some strains of this virus cause no or mild disease in birds, while others cause severe disease or death. While birds including wild birds and poultry are mainly affected, certain strains can also infect mammals such as wildlife, livestock and pets.

Humans are rarely infected.

The current situation

There is a highly infectious strain of bird flu that has quickly spread in birds and mammals across most of the world. This is a variant of the H5N1 bird flu strain called clade 2.3.4.4b.

There has been a number of infections in humans who have had contact with sick birds or other animals. This variant has not been found in Australia yet but outbreaks have been reported overseas in wild birds, poultry (such as chickens or ducks) and livestock (such as cows).

Other bird flu strains have been found in Australia. A small number of outbreaks have occurred in poultry farms from these strains.

The risk of bird flu spreading in the community is low. State and national health authorities closely monitor the situation and are preparing to respond to potential outbreaks.

Symptoms

Most bird flu infections cause no or mild symptoms. When symptoms occur, they are similar to the seasonal flu and include:

• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• runny nose
• sore red eyes (conjunctivitis)
• muscle aches and pains
• headache
• tiredness
• shortness of breath
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea.

Symptoms usually appear between 2 to 10 days following exposure.

Complications

Severe bird flu infection can lead to neurological changes, pneumonia (infection of the lungs), encephalitis (inflammation of the brain) or death.

How bird flu spreads

Bird flu mainly spreads between birds. It can sometimes spread from birds to other animals and rarely to humans. Bird flu very rarely spreads from person-to-person.

People can become infected if they:

• have close contact with infected birds and other animals or their respiratory secretions, faeces (droppings) and other body fluids
• breathe in contaminated dust or droplets.

The risk of getting bird flu from eating cooked poultry meat or eggs (such as from chickens or ducks) from areas with bird flu is very low.

Who is at risk

Most people are not at risk of bird flu.

People at higher risk of getting bird flu include those who:

• travel to countries with bird flu outbreaks and have contact with sick birds or other animals
• have close contact with birds (and their respiratory secretions, faeces (droppings) or other body fluids), such as poultry or wildlife workers.

Prevention

General advice

In general, people should avoid contact with sick or dead animals if possible. If you find multiple sick or dead birds or animals you should:

• avoid contact
• record what you see (by taking a photo or video of the animals and your location)
• report this to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action or Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24/7).

Seasonal flu vaccination is strongly recommended because it helps to avoid someone becoming seriously ill from being infected with both the human seasonal flu and bird flu strains at the same time. It also helps prevent human and bird flu strains mixing and resulting in new viruses that can become a bigger threat to the community.

Advice for travellers

If you are travelling to countries or areas with bird flu outbreaks, you should take the following steps to prevent infection:

• avoid wild birds and other animals, poultry farms and live animal 'wet' markets
• wash your hands with soap and water after handling raw poultry meat and eggs, and avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth after touching these products
• wash all kitchen utensils and clean cooking surfaces after preparing raw poultry
• make sure poultry meat and eggs are cooked thoroughly before eating
• do not drink or eat raw, unpasteurised milk or milk products.

Before travel, regularly check the health advice on Smartraveller.

Advice for workers

People who work in places with close contact with poultry or sick birds and other animals should follow the appropriate infection prevention and control precautions. This includes good hygiene practices and the use of personal protective equipment such as P2/N95 respirator mask, goggles, gloves and protective clothing.

Workers are also strongly advised to get the seasonal flu vaccine each year.

How bird flu is diagnosed

Bird flu is diagnosed by testing swabs taken from the nose and throat.

You should see your doctor if you have flu-like symptoms and have had close contact with sick birds or other animals, or have returned from a country or area with bird flu outbreaks.

Inform them about any possible contact with bird flu. Make sure to call ahead and wear a face mask to prevent spreading infection.

How to treat bird flu

Anti-viral medicines used to treat human flu are also effective for bird flu and help prevent against severe illness.

Public health response

People with bird flu

People who are diagnosed with bird flu are required to isolate from others to prevent the potential spread of infection. In hospital, this means being cared for under special precautions.

The Local Public Health Unit works with people who are diagnosed with bird flu, their doctors, and laboratories to investigate and respond to the potential risk of bird flu in the community.

People exposed to bird flu

People who are exposed to bird flu are provided information about the disease including its symptoms. If symptoms develop, they are advised to stay home and be tested for bird flu.

Some people may be recommended to receive influenza antiviral medical as a prevention therapy.

The Local Public Health Unit provides information and follows up people who are exposed.

Bird flu in animals

Agriculture Victoria is the animal health authority that investigates and responds to bird flu outbreaks in animals (for example, on poultry farms).

When there is an outbreak of bird flu in Victoria, people who may have been exposed to infected birds are followed up by the Local Public Health Unit.

Where to get help

• In an emergency, always call Triple Zero (000)
• Your GP (doctor)
• Nurse-on-Call Tel. 1300 60 60 24 (24 hours, 7 days) - for confidential health advice from a registered nurse
• Find your Local Public Health Unit
• Emergency Animal Diseases, Agriculture Victoria, Victorian Government, Tel. 136 186
• Infectious Diseases: Guidelines and advice, Department of Health, Victorian Government Tel. 1300 651 160