H5 bird flu: what to do if you find sick or dead wildlife on your farm

H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu) has entered and spread around Australia in recent months, with confirmed cases in wild birds in six out of eight states/territories. Wild birds have been the most affected, but infections have also been reported in mammals, including foxes, dolphins and sea lions.

While there have been no reports of H5 bird flu in Australian livestock industries, the risk of disease transmission from wildlife is increasing.

Along with strengthening biosecurity on your farm, it’s important to know how to respond if you encounter a sick or dead bird, or other wildlife, on or around your property.

Know how to respond

As H5 bird flu continues to spread through wild bird populations, you may encounter sick or dead wildlife on your farm.

Birds are not the only animals that can be affected. Foxes are susceptible to the virus, and overseas strains have occasionally infected cats and, more rarely, ruminants, pigs and horses.

If you find sick or dead wildlife on your property, remember three simple steps:

AVOID contact
RECORD what you see and take photographs if it is safe to do so
REPORT it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Keep livestock and pets away from the area to minimise the risk of disease transmission. This applies to all animals on the property, not just poultry.

Avoid direct contact and wear appropriate PPE

The risk of H5 bird flu infection in people remains low. However, infection can occur through close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

If you cannot secure the area and you need to move the animal, seek advice from the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline before handling it.

Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including:

gloves
a mask
eye protection
long-sleeved clothing.

Safe disposal

If you need to dispose of dead animals, use one of the two recommended methods.

Disposal of the animal as general waste

Check your local council requirements for disposing of dead animals. Where permitted, double-bag the animal and place it in your outdoor general waste bin.

Bury the animal

If bin disposal is not available or permitted, bury the animal on your property. Dig a hole at least 60 cm deep and choose a location well away from homes, gardens, livestock, pets, and water sources.

After disposal, clean up carefully by:

removing PPE safely
washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water
cleaning and disinfecting any tools, footwear, eye protection or other equipment used
washing clothing on a hot cycle using regular laundry detergent.

Taking the time to clean up properly helps reduce the risk of disease spread.

Good biosecurity helps prevent the spread of H5 bird flu

Biosecurity is our best defence against H5 bird flu. While poultry enterprises are most at risk, international outbreaks have occasionally affected other livestock species.

If you keep livestock, whether commercially or as backyard or hobby animals, review your biosecurity plan regularly as the H5 bird flu situation evolves.

Your biosecurity plan should minimise the risk of H5 bird flu entering your property. Start by reviewing H5 bird flu resources for poultry and livestock farmers from the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (DAFF).