Avian influenza is a highly infectious disease that affects many bird species, including pet and farmed chickens. It can result in significant deaths on poultry farms and some strains can cause deaths in wild birds. It is also known as bird flu or fowl plague.

Good biosecurity is the key to protecting your backyard poultry against bird flu.

Poultry that are most susceptible to bird flu are:

• domestic poultry
• ducks
• geese
• turkeys
• guinea fowl
• quail
• pheasants
• emus
• ostriches.

Many wild birds, including waterfowl and seabirds, can carry many strains of the virus without showing any signs of disease. The highly contagious H5N1 strain can cause mass deaths in wild birds.

Signs of bird flu

The first sign of bird flu may be the sudden death of some poultry. Other signs include:

• lack of appetite
• drop in egg production
• ruffled feathers
• decreased activity
• birds having trouble breathing
• swelling around the head
• discharge from the eyes (conjunctivitis)

For more information read the Avian Influenza factsheet

Steps to take

All bird owners need to be vigilant for any signs of bird flu in their flocks, especially when multiple deaths occur or many birds are unwell.

All poultry owners need to be cautious of their poultry coming into contact with wild birds

Bird flu is a notifiable disease. Owners must report any unexplained sick or dead birds to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

Effects on pet birds

Bird flu has not been detected in pet birds such as canaries, budgies and other caged birds in Victoria.

Keeping birds under cover and separate from wild birds will help protect them from bird flu.

Protecting your birds from bird flu

Put in place good biosecurity measures to keep wild birds from your poultry's food and water. These may include:

• keeping domesticated poultry away from open ponds, lakes, creeks or other watercourses used by wild birds
• separating poultry and their food and water from wild birds (for example, by using netting)
• making poultry enclosures wild bird and rodent-proof
• storing litter and feed securely to avoid contamination by wild birds
• practicing good hygiene at all times, such as handwashing before and after contact with birds
• keep your poultry sheds, yards,aviaries and equipment clean quarantining new birds or birds returning from a bird show until you are comfortable they are disease-free. This should be for at least 14 days
• purchasing poultry and birds, litter and feed from accredited sources
• not permitting visitors access to areas where poultry are kept
• using good biosecurity practices between and within properties. Clean your boots, vehicles and equipment before entering areas where poultry are kept.

Poultry should not share water from sources that wild birds frequent, as they can become contaminated and a source of infection. The following water sources are less likely to be contaminated:

• Treated (chlorinated) mains water
• Bore water that has been tested and is suitable quality for poultry (poultry have a low tolerance for saline water)

Talk to your vet for more advice on biosecurity measures for your backyard poultry.

Giving eggs to family or friends

If you are giving eggs to family and friends, please keep a record of who you are giving them to and the date. You should also:

• use new cartons if possible or keep reused cartons away from your birds
• clean your chicken coop regularly and collect eggs daily
• discard any cracked or heavily soiled eggs and clean dirt off others with a soft cloth
• keep your eggs in the refrigerator and cook them thoroughly.

Selling eggs

If you sell eggs for human consumption, you must follow the egg production standard.

During an outbreak of bird flu in Victoria, you must also follow Agriculture Victoria's instructions on selling eggs in your region.

Property identification codes

If you have 50 or 50 or more poultry  (domesticated fowl, chickens, ducks, geese, turkey, guinea fowl, pigeons, quail or pheasants) you must have a Property Identification Code (PIC). PICs are required for all properties on which livestock are kept. Agriculture Victoria uses PICs to contact livestock owners during emergencies such as fire, flood and animal disease outbreaks.

For more information and to apply for a pic click  Property Identification Code.

Keeping poultry safe at bird shows

Bird shows are a great opportunity for breeders and exhibitors to showcase breeds and compete for coveted titles. However, disease can spread because of close contact between birds and handlers from different locations.

Here are come tips to help keep your birds safe during and after bird shows:

• Don’t bring any birds to the show if there’s illness in the home flock.
• Clean and disinfect all bird equipment, cages and containers before and after shows.
• Judges and handlers should disinfect hands between birds where possible. Exhibitors should only handle their own birds.
• Ensure you quarantine show birds for 14 days before they’re reintroduced to the home flock.
• Keep records of bird movements to assist traceback in the event of a disease outbreak.

HPAI H5N1 bird flu clade 2.3.4.4b

Since 2021, a new strain named H5N1 bird flu clade 2.3.4.4.b has spread rapidly across several continents. This new strain has never been detected in Australia but is now established in many countries worldwide. It causes mass mortalities in wild birds and poultry and in some terrestrial and marine mammal populations.

All bird species are thought to be susceptible to H5 bird flu. It has also been detected in over 50 species of mammals. In the US it has been detected in some dairy herds without the severe symptoms seen in birds.

The H7 bird flu type detected in Victoria has not been known to cause disease in mammals in Australia. While there have been rare reports of it affecting mammals globally, this is uncommon.

More information

See Poultry health, diseases and prevention for more information on keeping your chickens safe from disease and what to do if you suspect disease.