H5 bird flu is a serious disease that can make wild birds, pet birds and poultry very sick. Some birds may die quickly. It can also affect other animals.
H5 bird flu has spread to many parts of the world and was first found in Australia in June 2026. The risk to people is low, but you should not touch sick or dead birds or animals.
If you see a sick or dead bird or animal
If you see a sick or dead bird or animal:
- stay away and do not touch it
- keep children and pets away
- write down the location and what you can see
- take a photo or video only if it is safe to do so
- report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
When to report
Report five or more sick or dead wild birds anywhere in Victoria. Also report one sick or dead seabird, waterbird, shorebird, bird of prey, seal, dolphin or sea lion.
Dead birds or animals on Council land
If you find a dead bird or animal in a Council park, reserve or Council-managed place, leave it where it is and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Dead birds or animals on private land
If you find a dead bird or animal on private property, it is usually the resident or owner’s responsibility.
- Don’t touch or move it unless it is a safety risk or could be reached by children or pets.
- If you think bird flu (H5) may be the cause, report it before touching it.
- If it is not causing a problem, it is often best to leave it to break down naturally.
If you need to move a dead bird or animal
If you must move it, do not touch it with bare hands. Wear gloves and use a shovel, tongs or another tool. Put it in 2 strong plastic bags, tie them closed and place them in your general rubbish bin.
DO NOT put dead birds or animals in recycling, food and garden waste bins or compost.
This may spread disease or put people at risk.
After handling
- wash your hands well with soap and water
- clean and disinfect tools, gloves or surfaces that touched the animal
- keep pets and poultry away from the area
- avoid close contact with pets and poultry for 48 hours after handling.
Can I or my family catch H5 bird flu?
Very few human cases of H5 bird flu have been recorded. People who have close or prolonged unprotected contact with infected birds or animals or their contaminated environments are at greatest risk of infection including:
- Close contact with a human H5 bird flu case.
- Exposure to birds, bird carcasses, poo, or to environments contaminated by H5 bird flu infected birds or animals.
- Eating raw or undercooked poultry products from an area with suspected or confirmed H5 bird flu infections. H5 flu is not a food safety concern, and it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked chicken meat, eggs and egg products
- Close contact with a confirmed H5 bird flu infected animal such as a cat or pig.
Getting a seasonal flu vaccine every year will not prevent you from contracting H5 bird flu but it will protect against possible co-infection with other strains of influenza.
What should I do if I think I have H5N1 bird flu?
Human infections with avian influenza may be asymptomatic, or present with mild symptoms such as conjunctivitis, upper respiratory symptoms, or flu symptoms that can include:
- fever
- chills
- cough
- sore throat
- muscle aches
- shortness of breath
- runny nose
- fatigue
- headache
Less commonly reported have been gastrointestinal symptoms, including diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Severe disease can result in pneumonia, neurological changes (for example, seizures), and encephalitis.
You must report suspected H5 bird flu cases to the Department of Health on 1300 651 160 (24/7)
If you get symptoms, call your doctor to say you have been around birds.
Can my cat or dog catch H5 bird flu?
Yes, cats and dogs can technically catch H5 bird flu, but the overall risk to household pets in Victoria remains very low.
Cats are more susceptible than dogs, usually catching it by eating infected wild birds or raw meat. Early signs of H5 bird flu may be vague (lethargy, loss of appetite), progressing to respiratory signs (sneezing, nasal discharge, coughing) and possible neurological effects.
Protection and safety tips
- Keep cats indoors or contained to your property to stop them from hunting or touching sick wildlife.
- Keep dogs on a leash during walks, especially near wetlands, beaches, and areas where wild birds gather.
- Avoid raw diets, as unpasteurized or raw animal products can carry the virus if sourced from exposed areas.
- Do not touch any sick or dead wild birds you see outside; keep your pets far away from them.
How can I protect my backyard poultry and pet birds?
Avian influenza can be a highly infectious disease that affects many bird species, including pet and farmed chickens. It is also known as bird flu. There are currently no detections in Victoria.
Many wild birds, including waterfowl and seabirds, can carry strains of bird flu without showing signs of disease. H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu) can, however, cause mass deaths in wild birds and significant deaths in poultry.
Australia’s animal health authorities are continuing to monitor H5 bird flu detections in wild birds. The current risk to backyard flocks remains low. However, good biosecurity is the key to protecting your backyard poultry against H5 bird flu and other diseases.
No matter how many birds you have, all poultry owners have a role to play in preparedness, including having a property biosecurity plan and remaining vigilant for signs of H5 bird flu.
- Keep your equipment and enclosures clean
- Prevent contact between your birds and wild birds
- Keep feed and water clean
- Practice good hygiene
- Limit visitor access
- Quarantine new birds
For more information visit: Bird owners and bird flu - DAFF
How do I report dead birds or animals?
If you suspect a wild animal may be infected with H5 Bird Flu:
AVOID – keep yourself and others safe. Do not make direct or indirect contact with sick or dead wildlife or their immediate environment unless you are disposing of the carcass. Keep pets and children away.
RECORD – make a note of what you observe, including: number of animals affected, species/type of animal, location, date and time. Take photos or videos if safe to do so.
REPORT – report suspected H5 cases to DEECA using this online form or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, anywhere in Victoria or report even one sick or dead:
- penguin or pelican
- bird of prey, such as hawks, owls, eagles
- black swan
- marine mammal, such as seals, sea lions, dolphins.
If the animal is on public (Council) land also report to Council.
How do I dispose of dead birds/wildlife?
Dead birds/animals on council land
Report dead birds/animals on council land (parks or reserves) by using Snap, Send Solve, using this link or phoning Council on 9262 6333.
Dead birds/animals on private land
Disposing dead bird/animal carcasses on private land is the responsibility of the resident.
If you suspect H5 bird flu infection, you should ring the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888 and first be guided by the Duty Vet.
If you are given permission to dispose of the dead birds/animals, you should wear personal protective equipment (PPE)/clothing (see full list of PPE below) before handing dead birds/animals.
The carcass should be placed in a plastic bag and that bag should be placed in a second bag and sealed.
The bagged carcass should be placed in your general rubbish bin (Never in the garden waste or recycling bin).
If you need to dispose of a large number of carcasses, they should all be double-bagged and they can be taken to the Whitehorse Recycling and Waste Centre where they can be disposed of for no charge.
Touching dead birds
These actions can protect you from becoming sick with bird flu:
- Don’t touch birds, unless you have to.
- Wash hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and running water.
- Wear appropriate PPE.
Recommended Personal Protection Equipment (PPE)
At a minimum, wear:
- coveralls (fluid resistant if appropriate)
- waterproof apron (if needed for task)
- P2/N95 face mask (minimum) (powered air purifying respirator with P3 filters may be used)
- goggles and/or face shield
- head or hair cover (if using un-hooded coveralls)
- gloves
- waterproof boots.
Links
Bird flu tool kit for people who work with birds - Bird flu toolkit for people who work with birds | Australian Centre for Disease Control
Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National guidelines for avian influenza – protecting people who work with birds and wildlife - CDNA national guidelines for avian influenza – protecting people who work with birds and wildlife | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
What are the signs of H5N1 flu in wildlife and domestic birds
The signs of H5N1 flu infection in wildlife vary widely. The most critical indicator in wildlife is sudden death. Other signs are:
- lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles
- twisted neck or other unusual 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.
If you suspect H5N1 infection in your chickens or other poultry, you should ring the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888 and be guided by the Duty Vet.
For other birds and wildlife:
- AVOID contact with sick or dead birds, wildlife or their environment
- RECORD what you see
- REPORT wildlife sickness or deaths to DEECA using the online form or call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888
