Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses are common in wild birds and cause outbreaks in poultry. Infection of humans with bird flu viruses is uncommon.

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


If you see sick or dead birds 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. 


For more information visit the Primary Industries and Regions website. For information on the current situation visit Bird flu (avian influenza).

Avian influenza in humans is a notifiable condition.

What is bird flu (avian influenza)?

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is caused by various strains of influenza A viruses.

Some strains of bird flu cause no or mild disease while others can cause severe disease and death in wild birds and poultry (such as chickens). Certain strains can infect mammals including seals and livestock.

Occasionally bird flu viruses infect humans.

How bird flu is spread

Humans can be exposed to bird flu viruses through:

  • Direct contact with infected birds or other infected animals (e.g. handling, feeding)
  • Contact with environments, surfaces or objects contaminated by infected birds or other infected animals or their faeces or secretions
  • Breathing in dust contaminated by infected birds or other infected animals.

Higher risk activities include slaughter, defeathering, butchering, and preparation for cooking of infected birds and other infected animals.

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

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

Person-to-person transmission of bird flu viruses is rare but may occur after very close and prolonged contact with someone who has infection with bird flu.

Signs and symptoms

When symptoms occur, they can be similar to seasonal influenza:

  • fever
  • cough
  • tiredness
  • muscle aches
  • sore throat
  • shortness of breath
  • runny nose
  • headache
  • diarrhoea

In addition, some people with bird flu infection develop conjunctivitis (red, sore, or watery eyes).

Diagnosis

Diagnosis may be confirmed by laboratory testing of a nose or throat swab, or sputum (phlegm).

Conjunctival (eye) swabs may also be taken where there is conjunctivitis.

Tell your doctor if you have been in close contact with sick birds or animals or have travelled recently to a region with avian influenza.

Rapid antigen tests (RATs) for seasonal influenza should not be used to test for bird flu.

Incubation period

The incubation period (time between becoming infected and developing symptoms) will vary according to the specific strain of avian influenza and may range from one to ten days.

Infectious period

Uncertain. People are probably infectious to others from about the day before symptoms start until around 7 days after symptoms start.

Treatment

People with bird flu should be treated with antiviral therapy, starting as soon as possible, and ideally within 48 hours of symptoms starting. Treatment should be in consultation with an infectious disease specialist. 

Prevention

Do not touch sick or dead birds.

People who work with birds

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.