Bird flu (avian influenza)

Bird flu (avian influenza) is a viral disease caused by influenza A viruses. It mainly affects wild birds and poultry but can sometimes infect other animals and people.

Bird flu is different from seasonal flu, which spreads between people. Bird flu mainly spreads between birds, and the risk to most people in Australia is low.

There are many types (strains) of bird flu viruses. These include H5 viruses.

Bird flu viruses can change over time through small genetic changes called mutations. Scientists monitor these changes to help identify any new risks to animals or people.

Bird flu can cause mild or severe illness in birds. Infections in people are rare but can sometimes be serious.

Wild birds can carry bird flu viruses as they migrate. Australian authorities monitor birds for signs of disease. For the latest information about outbreaks, strains and human cases in Australia, visit the Australian Centre for Disease Control (Opens in new tab).

Bird flu symptoms are similar to those of seasonal flu. They can be mild or severe. Symptoms usually develop within 10 days of exposure to the virus.

Some people may experience no symptoms.

Symptoms may include:

• fever or chills
• cough 
• sore throat 
• runny or blocked nose 
• muscle or body aches 
• headache 
• fatigue

Some people may also have:

• red or sore eyes (conjunctivitis) 
• nausea
• vomiting
• diarrhoea

In severe cases, bird flu can lead to pneumonia, difficulty breathing or other serious complications that may require hospital treatment.

Bird flu is caused by influenza A viruses. People are rarely infected. When infection occurs, it is usually after close contact with infected birds, other infected animals or contaminated environments.

People with a higher risk of exposure include those who:

• work with poultry or birds
• care for wildlife
• keep backyard chickens

You may be exposed to the virus by:

• breathing in virus particles in contaminated environments
• touching infected birds or animals
• caring for someone with bird flu without proper personal protective equipment (PPE) and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth
• eating contaminated food that has not been properly cooked or pasteurised

Bird flu is not known to spread through eating chicken, other poultry or eggs if they have been handled and cooked properly.

Bird flu does not spread easily from person to person.

Bird flu is diagnosed based on your symptoms, recent exposure to infected birds or other animals and laboratory testing.

Your doctor may take a swab from your nose or throat to test for the virus.

Other samples or blood tests may also help with diagnosis.

If you are diagnosed with bird flu, your doctor or laboratory will notify public health authorities. This is because bird flu in people is a notifiable disease in Australia.

Treatment depends on how sick you are. People with mild illness may only need supportive care, while people with severe illness may need treatment in hospital.

Self-care

If you have mild symptoms, your doctor may recommend self-care measures such as:

• getting plenty of rest
• drinking enough fluids to stay hydrated
• taking medicines, such as paracetamol, to reduce fever or relieve pain

Medicines

If your doctor suspects bird flu, they may prescribe an antiviral medicine. Antiviral medicines work best if started within 48 hours of your symptoms beginning.

Antibiotics are not used to treat bird flu, but they may be prescribed if you develop a bacterial infection.

Hospital treatment

Some people may become seriously ill and need treatment in hospital. This may include:

• being cared for in isolation to help prevent the spread of infection
• treatment in an intensive care unit
• a ventilator to help you breathe

Complications may include:

• lung infection (pneumonia)
• acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
• inflammation of the brain (encephalitis)

Older people, pregnant females, people who are immunocompromised or have underlying health conditions, and young children, are more likely to have severe illness.

The best way to protect against bird flu is to:

• avoid sick or dead birds and their surroundings
• wash your hands (Opens in new tab) after handling any type of bird
• wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) if you work with birds or wildlife
• clean and disinfect equipment and surfaces that may be contaminated
• prevent your pets from touching or eating sick or dead birds

Having the annual flu vaccine can help reduce the risk of being infected with seasonal flu and bird flu at the same time.

The Australian Centre for Disease Control has more information about bird flu (avian influenza) (Opens in new tab).

For information about bird flu in your state or territory, see:

• Australian Capital Territory (Opens in new tab)
• New South Wales (Opens in new tab)
• Northern Territory (Opens in new tab)
• Queensland (Opens in new tab)
• South Australia (Opens in new tab)
• Tasmania (Opens in new tab)
• Victoria (Opens in new tab)
• Western Australia (Opens in new tab)

Read about the Australian Government's plan (Opens in new tab) to manage bird flu.

Information for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Australian Government has bird flu (Opens in new tab) resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Languages other than English

The Australian Government has resources on bird flu in community languages (Opens in new tab).