Bird flu: Keeping yourself and others safe

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

Can H5 bird flu infect people?

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.

What are the different ways that wildlife rehabilitators may be exposed to bird flu? 

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.

Can good hygiene practices make a difference?

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.

Which disinfectants are appropriate to use?

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 (PDF 2.2MB). The WOAH and IUCN Wildlife Health Specialist Group's 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.'

How should I launder clothing and cloth equipment?

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.

What personal protective equipment should I wear?

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.

What should I do if I feel sick?

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.

Does a seasonal flu vaccine help?

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.

What options are available to support mental health and wellbeing?

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.