Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is an infection caused by influenza A viruses that mainly affect birds but can sometimes spread to humans and other animals.
Human infections are rare and generally only occur after close contact with sick birds or contaminated environments. Bird flu in people can range from mild illness to severe disease. Person-to-person spread is extremely rare.
The best-known strains are H5N1 and H7N9. These viruses have caused serious illness and deaths overseas. In Australia, one human case of H5N1 has been recorded, which was acquired overseas. No human cases of H7N9 have been detected in Australia.
In Australia, small outbreaks of less severe bird flu strains have occurred on poultry farms, occasionally causing mild illness in people who handled infected birds.
Bird flu spreads mainly through direct contact with infected animals or their products, saliva, nasal secretions or droppings. It can also spread indirectly through contaminated dust, surfaces, water or equipment used around birds.
Chicken meat and eggs are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly.
Person-to-person transmission is very rare and usually only happens after close, prolonged contact with an infected person without protective equipment. Sustained human-to-human spread has not been reported for the currently circulating H5N1 strain.
Most people are at very low risk of getting bird flu.
People at higher risk are those who have close or prolonged contact with infected birds or animals, or contaminated environments.
People most at risk include:
For travellers going overseas, the risk is low if you avoid contact with sick or dead birds, live animal markets and follow good hygiene practices.
Avoid contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia.
You can reduce your risk of getting bird flu by following these steps, especially if you are travelling to areas where outbreaks are occurring:
If you work with birds or wildlife, follow your workplace infection control procedures and use personal protective equipment as indicated, such as P2 or N95 masks, goggles, gloves and protective clothing.
More information is available in the national guidelines for avian influenza, protecting people who work with birds and wildlife.
Stay up to date with recommended influenza vaccination. The seasonal flu vaccine will not protect against bird flu but minimises the risk that people become unwell with both seasonal and bird flu viruses at the same time.
Most people exposed to bird flu experience mild or no symptoms. When symptoms occur, they are similar to those of seasonal influenza and usually appear 2 to 10 days after exposure.
Symptoms may include:
Severe illness can lead to pneumonia, encephalitis, neurological changes or death.
If you become unwell after contact with sick or dead birds, other animals or contaminated environments, call your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 or seek medical advice. Tell them about your exposure before attending.
In NSW, a local Public Health Unit will assess anyone who has been in contact with bird flu. This may include contact with infected animals, animal products, contaminated environments, contaminated objects or a person with bird flu.
The Public Health Unit will advise what you need to do. This may include monitoring your health, testing, antiviral medicine or taking steps to reduce the risk to others.
Information is available for people who have been assessed by a Public Health Unit as having:
For more information, visit information for people who have been exposed to bird flu. You can contact your local Public Health Unit by calling 1300 066 055.
Bird flu in humans is a notifiable disease. This means that any suspected or confirmed case must be reported to a public health unit so infection control measures can be put in place to protect the community.
Bird flu is diagnosed by testing a sample taken from your nose or throat.
Call your local Public Health Unit on 1300 066 055 if you have symptoms and have recently been in contact with sick or dead birds, other animals or people with confirmed bird flu. They can help you access rapid testing and provide advice on monitoring your health and protecting others.
If you are seeking medical care, call ahead and tell them about your symptoms and possible exposure to the bird flu virus.
Your local Public Health Unit will advise you on what to do if you test positive for bird flu. This may include staying at home, wearing a mask and practising good hand hygiene to avoid spreading the virus to others in your household.
They may recommend antiviral medicines such as oseltamivir, also called Tamiflu. These medicines can help reduce the severity of illness if taken early.
If your illness is more severe, you may need hospital care.
Antibiotics may be used if a secondary bacterial infection, such as pneumonia, develops.
Being exposed to bird flu, seeing sick or dead animals, or working in an industry affected by bird flu may be distressing. Support is available.
You can contact:
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