H5 bird flu – using personal protective equipment (PPE) and cleaning up

The risk to human health of H5 bird flu remains low.

Please do not unnecessarily handle or move sick or dead birds, as this may spread the virus.

In general, dead wildlife should be left where found to decompose naturally. Unnecessary intervention can disturb surviving birds, increase stress in affected colonies and cause birds to fly away.

If there is an unavoidable need to pick up or move a dead bird or animal, always protect yourself from H5 bird flu.

Appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) has proven to be highly effective against contracting illness.

Members of the public and wildlife volunteers

If you need to dispose of a dead bird or animal on your property, follow safe disposal or burial steps. See Managing dead birds and wildlife on your land.

Use safe practices

To protect yourself and stop the disease from spreading when collecting dead birds, follow these steps:

  1. Don’t touch dead birds with your bare hands.
  2. Wear safety equipment: a face mask (P2/N95 is best, but a surgical mask is acceptable if you don’t have that), glasses or goggles, long sleeves, gloves (disposable or washable) and shoes you can clean.
  3. Put the dead bird in 2 plastic bags:
    1. Use tongs or a shovel or turn a plastic bag inside out over your hand to pick up the bird.
    2. Tie the first bag shut, then put it inside a second leak-proof bag.
    3. Take off your gloves and put them in the second bag.
    4. Tie the second bag and place it in the regular waste bin, unless DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) – Agriculture Victoria has asked you to keep the bird for testing.
  4. Wash your clothes and clean any tools or equipment that touched the bird.
    1. Clean shoes, reusable equipment (including eye protection) and any contaminated items with detergent and water to remove all visible material.
    2. Disinfect these items and let them dry completely, taking care to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, including required contact time with cleaning or disinfecting agents.
    3. Wash clothes in a washing machine with laundry detergent on the hottest cycle appropriate for the material.
    4. If you cannot clean and disinfect reusable items immediately, seal them in a plastic bag until you can.
  5. Wash your hands well with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub before and after handling dead wild birds.

Practise good hygiene principles when wearing PPE

  • Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose.
  • Cover any cuts or grazes with a water-resistant dressing under PPE (i.e. band-aid).
  • Do not eat or drink whilst wearing PPE.
  • Ensure PPE is removed safely and in the correct sequence.

Clean bird droppings from hard surfaces

1. Wet the material first

If the droppings, feathers or other material are dry, lightly wet them first. This helps reduce dust. Do not sweep dry droppings, use a leaf blower or high-pressure water, as these can spread dust.

Use disposable paper towels or another single-use material to pick up visible waste.

Put the waste in a plastic bag, tie it up and put it in your regular waste bin.

2. Wash with detergent and water

Wash the surface with soap and water.

Remove as much dirt and visible contamination as possible before using disinfectant.

3. Use disinfectant safely

Use a disinfectant suitable for the surface. Read the label and follow the instructions, including how long the disinfectant needs to stay on the surface.

Wear PPE as recommended on the label.

Choose a disinfectant labelled for use against viruses. This may include:

  • household bleach prepared according to the label
  • hydrogen peroxide-based disinfectant prepared according to the label
  • other household, veterinary or farm disinfectants labelled for use against viruses.

4. Dispose of waste safely

Dispose of PPE, paper towel and other single-use cleaning materials in a plastic bag. Tie up the bag and put it in regular waste bin, unless DEECA (Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action) – Agriculture Victoria has asked you to keep the bird or materials for testing.

Wash your hands well with soap and water after cleaning.

Get medical advice if you feel unwell

Contact your doctor if you develop flu-like symptoms after contact with a sick or dead bird, bird droppings or contaminated material.

Veterinarians, poultry farmers and wildlife rehabilitators and rescuers

For more information for veterinarians, please visit H5 bird flu guidance for veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators.

For more information for poultry producers, please visit H5 bird flu information for poultry producers

People working with poultry and/or responding to avian influenza outbreaks should have a current seasonal influenza vaccine at least 2 weeks prior to coming in contact with infected birds. This will not prevent infection with bird flu but will reduce the risk of co-infection with human influenza (‘flu’) and genetic reassortment to produce new influenza viruses that may pose a threat to the wider community.

PPE requirements will vary depending upon the level of risk associated with the work you are undertaking.

When working on properties and in contact with potentially infected animals or materials, use:

  • Waterproof footwear, such as gumboots
  • Disposable overalls and gloves
  • P2 facemask (minimum)
  • Protective eyewear

Practise good hygiene principles when wearing PPE

  • Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose.
  • Cover any cuts or grazes with a water-resistant dressing under PPE (i.e. band-aid).
  • Do not eat or drink while wearing PPE.
  • Ensure PPE is removed safely and in the correct sequence (seek guidance from DEECA (Agriculture Victoria) staff).
  • Thoroughly wash hands and face after removing PPE and shower at the end of the shift before handling other animals.

People who are ill should be discouraged from entering a poultry house, a response location or processing facility.

Any additional recommendations or requirements will be provided by DEECA (Agriculture Victoria), in conjunction with the Department of Health, based on a case-by-case assessment of the risk.

Waste service providers

Recommended PPE includes a face mask (P2/N95 is best, but a surgical mask is acceptable if you don’t have that), glasses or goggles, long sleeves, gloves (disposable or washable) and shoes you can clean.

The main benefit of long sleeves and long pants is to protect the hair and skin from contact with viruses that could later be transferred to the eyes, nose or mouth.

PPE may be adapted based on a site-specific risk assessment that considers work environment, activities and hazards. Of note, PPE selection should include gloves and prioritise protection of the eyes, nose and mouth.

Hand hygiene is essential when handling dead birds or removing PPE

  • Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, or use an alcohol-based hand rub before putting on PPE and after removing it.
  • Remove gloves first and then perform hand hygiene before removing eye protection or a face mask.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth during PPE removal and perform hand hygiene again once all PPE has been removed.
  • A face mask or respirator should be used together with good hand hygiene and other protective measures, particularly if a respirator has not been fit tested.

Practise good hygiene principles when wearing PPE

  • Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, and nose.
  • Cover any cuts or grazes with a water-resistant dressing under PPE (i.e. band-aid).
  • Do not eat or drink whilst wearing PPE.
  • Ensure PPE is removed safely and in the correct sequence.
Page last updated: 11 Sep 2026