Bird flu: Early reporting and wildlife surveillance

The following video, questions and answers have been compiled to support the wildlife rehabilitation sector.

What are the clinical signs of H5 bird flu?

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.

How do I report if I suspect animals may be infected with H5 bird flu?

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.

What will happen when I make a report?

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.