Avian influenza: Signs and how to report

Surveillance

With Australia now the only continent free of H5 avian influenza, the threat of the virus entering with migrating wild birds has increased.

Australia is closely monitoring avian influenza outbreaks overseas and carrying out increased wild bird surveillance to ensure we find H5 avian influenza early if it arrives. To date, no strains of HPAI virus have ever been detected in any wild birds in Australia.

For further information on the National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program, see Wildlife Health Australia, Wild Bird Surveillance.

Signs of avian influenza

Wild birds

Wild birds infected with low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) show no signs of disease.

Signs of H5 avian influenza in wild birds can include:

• sudden death
• lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles
• twisted necks or other abnormal posture
• inability to stand or fly
• diarrhoea
• difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
• swelling around the head, neck and eyes
• cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes.

Mammals

Some strains of avian influenza can also infect mammals. This usually occurs when the animals scavenge on infected birds’ carcasses or have contact with infected birds and the associated contaminated feed and water.

Signs of H5 avian influenza in mammals can include:

• neurological (lack of coordination, circling)
• respiratory signs (nasal or eye discharge, difficulty breathing)
• sudden death.

It is important for people who regularly work with or have contact with wildlife to know the signs of avian influenza in wild birds and mammals and to report them if they occur.

Poultry

A number of strains of avian influenza can affect poultry. See the DPIRD avian influenza webpage for signs of avian influenza in poultry.

Sick or dead wild birds or marine mammals

Avoid – Sick and dead birds and mammals can carry diseases, including avian influenza, that can affect humans. It is recommended to avoid contact with wildlife that are sick or have died unexpectedly unless you have appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and the risk of leaving the birds/animals in place outweighs the risk of spreading infection by moving them. International experience shows that most affected wildlife will not recover, so it is usually best not to move affected animals and stress them further unless they pose a public health risk. Make sure you keep children and pets away from sick or dead birds or other wildlife.

See the Australian Department of Health and Aged Care website for PPE recommendations.

Record – If you see sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife, note the number of dead, species, location, date and time.

Report – Reporting signs of avian influenza is important to enable early detection and to monitor the level and locations of H5 avian influenza if it arrives in Australia. Under WA’s Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007, any strain of avian influenza is a reportable disease and anyone who suspects the disease is present must report it.