In a recent webinar Birds Australia outlined how the public can be aware of the growing threat of an outbreak of H5 Bird Flu in Australia.
Since 2020 this disease has caused the widespread death of wild and domestic birds in Europe, Africa, plus North & South America.
In October 2024 bird flu was detected on the Crozet & Kerguelen Islands in the Southern Ocean approximately 2,600km west of Perth.
Birds Australia are sure it will reach Australia, & it could be devastating to our bird populations.
They have a webpage dedicated to updates and frequently asked questions at this
link: https://birdlife.org.au/h5n1-avian-influenza/
If you find a dead bird or see a bird that is behaving strangely, please follow these instructions:
Avoid, Record, Report. That is:
- Do not touch dead or unwell birds. That includes dogs.
- Record all details of place (+ GPS coordinates), time, photo, observer(s).
- Report incident to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.
