H5 bird flu – Information for the wildlife rehabilitation sector

Bird flu (avian influenza) is caused by specific influenza A viruses that primarily infect birds. As with other viruses, there are many strains and subtypes of bird flu and new variants appear frequently.

H5 bird flu (H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza) differs from other avian influenza strains and has caused mass mortalities in poultry and many wild birds overseas, as well as some mammals, particularly marine mammals.

Overseas, the most commonly affected birds are:

• waterfowl – for example, ducks, geese and swans
• shorebirds – for example, waders and coastal water birds
• seabirds – for example, shearwaters, terns and gulls
• predators and scavengers – for example, raptors and ravens.

The most commonly affected mammals are predators and scavengers – for example, seals and possums.

We should assume all bird species are vulnerable to infection and be aware that even herbivorous mammals may be infected if they have been exposed to contaminated environments. 

Wild animals infected with can display a range of clinical signs H5 bird flu, including:

• gastrointestinal: diarrhoea, vomiting, reduced intake of food or water
• respiratory: panting, coughing or sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, cloudy eyes or changes in iris colour
• neurological: incoordination, including inability to stand, walk, fly or swim; unresponsiveness; tremors or seizures.

H5 bird flu can result in rapid and sudden death, and in some instances multiple animals may die within a short period.

If you observe any signs of illness, or any abnormal behaviour or deaths, in wildlife you should:

• Avoid contact with the sick or dead animals.
• Record what you see from a safe distance, noting the date, time, species and numbers. If it is safe to do so, take photos or videos.
• Report your observations to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or use the online form available on the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website.

Once a report is made, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development will assess the information and decide what happens next, including whether testing or further investigation is required.

If testing is warranted, an Emergency Animal Disease Officer will arrange for a qualified person to sample the animal. The testing process may take 2–3 business days.

The Emergency Animal Disease Officer will advise you on what actions to take while awaiting the results, and will explain the next steps if infection is confirmed.

H5 bird flu could enter a wildlife rehabilitation facility in several different ways, including:

• admission of an infected animal
• free-ranging animals
• fomites – for example, contaminated equipment, boots or clothing
• contaminated feed or water.

Baseline biosecurity practices should always be adopted, regardless of the perceived risk. You will find more information on baseline biosecurity within the codes of practice provided by DCCEEW for the NSW wildlife rehabilitation sector.

During periods of higher biosecurity risk, enhanced biosecurity practices should be adopted. You will find more information on enhanced biosecurity protocols within the H5 bird flu risk mitigation toolbox (PDF 2.2MB) developed by Wildlife Health Australia for wildlife rehabilitators.

Enhanced biosecurity protocols reduce the risk to animals and people alike – but cannot eliminate the possibility of disease introduction and spread. Therefore, your biosecurity plan should consider the option of suspending new admissions of higher-risk, or susceptible, animals during periods of higher biosecurity risk if you do not have a biosecure facility. Every wildlife rehabilitation facility should have a biosecurity plan suited to your circumstances and informed by your own risk assessment.

Dead animals should not be taken into the wildlife rehabilitation facility.

You should:

• double-bag the carcass and disinfect the exterior of the outer bag. This should only be done by a person wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and using a ‘no-touch approach’ (for example, use shovel or grasping tool)
• if you suspect the animal may be infected with H5 bird flu – record the species, date, fate, GPS coordinates of where the animal was found and any other useful information. These details should also be affixed to the outer bag once dry
• call the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or use the online form
• dispose of the carcass in accordance with the carcass disposal guide at Avian influenza.

H5 bird flu is a zoonotic disease – meaning the virus can infect humans. The current risk to people in Australia is currently considered low. For more information, visit the Australian Centre for Disease Control.

Human infections are rare, but can occur through close contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Practicing good hygiene and wearing appropriate personal protective equipment not only protects you but also reduces the risk to animals in care.

Wildlife rehabilitators can be exposed to bird flu through several transmission pathways, including:

• handling infected animals without appropriate PPE
• having contact with contaminated surfaces or materials
• inhaling contaminated dust or droplets
• being exposed to infected fluids.

Good hygiene is the first line of defence in preventing disease exposure and transmission. Hygiene is particularly important for bird flu because the virus can survive in the environment and on surfaces for extended periods.

Baseline hygiene practices protect against many wildlife disease – not just H5 bird flu – and should always be adopted, regardless of the perceived risk. During times of higher biosecurity risk, hygiene practices need to be enhanced. 

Wildlife Health Australia’s H5 bird flu risk mitigation toolbox (PDF 2.2MB) provides all the information you will need. This toolbox was developed for wildlife rehabilitators.

Wildlife Health Australia’s H5 bird flu toolbox states:

'There are a range of cleaning and disinfectant agents that are effective against AI viruses which are listed in AUSVETPLAN Operational Manual: Decontamination. The WOAH and IUCN Wildlife Health Specialist Group Avian Influenza and Wildlife: Risk management for people working with wild birds (PDF 246KB) document also contains succinct information on cleaning and disinfectant agents for HPAI.'

The Australian Registry of Wildlife Health (PDF 2.4MB) recommends:

• Use hot water (more than 71 degrees Celsius) for at least 25 minutes with a biological detergent and laundry-safe bleach or hydrogen peroxide.
• Wear PPE when removing the laundry from the sealed bag.
• Seal the bag and dispose with other biohazardous material.
• Wash this laundry separately to other clinic laundry.
• Run the machine with bleach, hydrogen peroxide or one of the disinfectants described above and disinfect the outside of the machine prior to use for other purposes.
• Dry the laundry on a hot cycle in a dryer or in the sun until thoroughly dry.

DCCEEW’s codes of practice for the NSW wildlife rehabilitation sector establish baseline PPE standards. Generally, this involves wearing a mask, eye protection, gloves and appropriate protective clothing to minimise the risk of contracting zoonotic diseases, such as bird flu.

During periods of elevated biosecurity risk, or when undertaking higher-risk activities, you should enhance your PPE. If you do need to handle a sick animal that may be infected with H5 bird flu – for example, to separate it from other animals – the Australian Centre for Disease Control (PDF 3MB) recommends wearing full PPE.

PPE should be considered the last line of defence, and you should try to reduce risks through other control measures. If it is necessary to handle a dead animal – for instance, to remove it from an enclosure – you should wear appropriate PPE and adopt a 'no-touch' approach by using tools such as a shovel or grasping device.

It is always important that you monitor your own health when working with animals. If you have been in close contact with a sick animal or a contaminated environment, NSW Health recommends monitoring your health closely for 10 days after your last exposure.

If you begin to feel unwell:

• Call your doctor and tell them you may have been exposed to an animal disease.
• Tell your employer or organisation.
• Stay away from others until you have received medical advice. If you can’t do this, wear a mask.

For more information, please refer to NSW Health’s information for people who have been exposed to bird flu. 

NSW Health advises getting a seasonal flu vaccine can help prevent bird flu becoming a bigger threat to people. It does not prevent infection with bird flu but reduces the risk of co-infection with human flu viruses, and limits the chance of the virus mutating into a more serious form.

Wildlife rehabilitation is rewarding – but carries a unique emotional weight that can take a quiet but cumulative toll.

Organisations such as the NSW Wildlife Council and WIRES provide free and confidential support options for their members. You can also receive support through the Black Dog Institute’s National Emergency Worker Support Service.

Visit NSW Health’s bird flu (avian influenza) page for additional information and more support options.

The Australian Government's bird flu page provides brief updates when H5 bird flu is detected in Australia but there is no evidence of spread or mass mortality events.

The Australian Government's Outbreak website provides information when there is a current animal disease outbreak anywhere within Australia.

Biosecurity emergencies provides information on current animal disease outbreaks in New South Wales. You can also download the BioResponse NSW app to your mobile phone or computer. You can set-up this app to provide real‑time notifications.

In New South Wales, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) leads biosecurity emergency responses. When a serious animal disease is detected in New South Wales, biosecurity emergency orders and emergency zones may be enacted to contain or limit the impact.

These emergency orders may affect the NSW wildlife rehabilitation sector. For example, the orders may restrict the movement of susceptible animals or require susceptible animals to housed or contained to prevent contact with wild birds.

Biosecurity emergency orders issued by DPIRD are always made available online and are often accompanied by easy-to-read explanatory guides.

Currently, vaccination is not an option for wildlife in Australia, although trials are underway.

Veterinarians provide an important service in supporting animal welfare and humane euthanasia. Among other services, veterinary practitioners provide critical advice and assistance during wildlife emergencies and help relieve the suffering of individual animals by providing appropriate medical treatment, care or euthanasia as appropriate.

Outbreaks of animal diseases may disrupt the normal operations of private veterinary practices. However, under the Veterinary Practice Regulation 2013 (NSW), a veterinary practitioner must provide relief of pain or suffering to an animal in their presence, or provide a timely referral to another practitioner. See Avian influenza – information for private veterinarians.

In New South Wales, responsibility for disposing of animal carcasses rests with the landowner.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has published a carcass disposal guide to explain disposal options available in the context of H5 bird flu.

Strengthening the natural resilience of wildlife populations and supporting their recovery is one of our key priorities.

New South Wales’s wildlife rehabilitation sector contributes to this by rescuing and rehabilitating native fauna – and rescues around 100,000 sick and injured animals each year. This provides a significant and important contribution to the health of our wildlife and ecosystems.

The Australian and NSW governments are also building the resilience of our native wildlife population. Across New South Wales, many projects are being delivered to reduce population pressures and improve critical habitat at priority sites.