What you need to know

South Australia has confirmed its first detection of H5 bird flu (avian influenza) in a Southern Giant Petrel on the Fleurieu Peninsula.

H5 bird flu is a virus that can cause illness and death in poultry, wild birds, and some mammals.

Risk to human health from H5 bird flu is low. Bird flu viruses do not spread easily from birds to humans and infections in humans are rare.

It’s also very rare for bird flu to spread from person to person.

Bird flu transmission to humans only occurs when there is close contact with infected birds or other infected animals, or the litter/waste of infected birds/animals.

Walking past a dead or sick bird does not put you at risk, however, it’s important to stay alert and report this sighting.

If you see a sick or dead bird or other animals, do not touch them. Instead, take a photo or video, note the location and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Symptoms to look out for:

Symptoms of bird flu in humans can range from mild illness to severe disease with symptoms similar to those of seasonal influenza.

Symptoms include fever, cough, tiredness, muscle aches, sore throat, shortness of breath, runny nose, headache and diarrhoea.

Bird flu can also cause conjunctivitis (pink eye).

Contact with sick birds

If you have been in contact with a sick or dead bird or its litter/waste and you develop bird flu symptoms, contact your GP. Your GP will provide initial advice and will contact SA Health’s Communicable Disease Control Branch for information if necessary.

High-risk human exposure includes:

  • Direct contact with a living or dead infected bird/animal and/or their faeces/waste
  • Direct contact means handling, hand-feeding, cleaning out pens or other direct contact with bird/animal or their faeces or waste.
  • For people working in occupations where direct contact is likely, exposure is significantly reduced by wearing mask, gloves, gown and eye protection and washing hands thoroughly after contact (need to link to PIRSA for this point)

Information for poultry workers

People who work with poultry or have contact with poultry should follow the personal protective equipment recommendations and other guidance on the Primary Industries and Regions website.

Poultry workers and other persons in contact with poultry who develop symptoms compatible with bird flu should isolate themselves and seek medical advice. Tell the doctor you have contact with poultry and may have bird flu. Wear a mask while near others.

Food safety

Bird flu is not a food safety risk for chicken meat and eggs if they are handled and cooked correctly.

Seasonal influenza

We continue to encourage everyone to receive the seasonal influenza vaccine which protects against the seasonal flu as well as reducing the risk of co-infection with both human and avian influenza viruses. Seasonal influenza vaccine does not protect against bird flu.