Investigating illness or death in backyard poultry flocks, pet birds and wild birds
Exclusion testing for high pathogenicity avian influenza should be conducted when examining sick or dead birds from backyard poultry flocks, pet birds or wild birds, whilst being mindful of the zoonotic potential of HPAI.
To encourage and support such testing, there is a subsidy of $200 (+GST) per case for vets who collect samples from single or small numbers of birds anywhere in Victoria. The birds can be dead or ill, pets or from small holdings, or wild birds.
A set of simple swabs and a brief history is all that is required.
To access the subsidy, contact your local district veterinary officer or call 136 186.
To find more information including details on sample submission, guidelines on sample collection, reminders on suitable PPE and background information on avian influenza, go to
Private vets who collect sample from commercial flocks of domestic birds anywhere in Victoria and include testing to rule out highly pathogenic avian influenza, will be eligible to access a subsidy via the Significant Disease Investigation program on submission of suitable samples and required documentation. Contact your local district veterinary officer to access this program or get more information on our website
Avian influenza is a notifiable disease, and veterinarians who know of or suspect the presence of the disease MUST IMMEDIATELY report it to Agriculture Victoria. You can do this by calling:
- an animal health officer or district veterinary officer at Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 between 8.30 am and 5 pm, Monday to Friday
- the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888
Read more about avian influenza and the 2024 outbreak and response.