Bird flu: know what to do – and why it matters to FGA members 

The Australian Government has launched a new national awareness campaign as Australia continues to respond to H5 bird flu. 

Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Julie Collins launched the six-week “Bird flu. Know what to do” campaign kicked off on 27 September. It will run across television, radio, digital and social media and provide practical information to help Australians protect wildlife, poultry and pets. 

The message is straightforward: know the signs, avoid touching sick or dead birds and other wildlife, report suspected cases, and take sensible precautions around animals. 

For Field & Game Australia members, these messages are particularly relevant. 

The Australian situation 

H5N1 is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza that has caused significant mortality among wild birds and poultry overseas, as well as infections in a range of mammal species. 

Australia detected H5 bird flu for the first time in wild birds in June this year. Since then, surveillance has identified the virus across several states and a growing range of wildlife. 

As at 30 September, the Australian Government had recorded 676 confirmed H5 bird flu events in wildlife nationally, including 228 in Victoria. More than 55,000 reports have been made to authorities. 

Importantly, there have still been no H5 bird flu detections in Australian poultry or livestock. 

In Victoria, however, continuing transmission in wildlife means targeted biosecurity measures remain in place. Flocks of 50 or more poultry across specified southern areas, including metropolitan Melbourne, must currently be confined to prevent contact with wild birds, their droppings and environments used by wild birds. This requirement has been extended until at least 16 October. 

What this means for hunters 

Hunters spend considerable time in wetlands and other environments where changes in wildlife health may be observed. 

That makes vigilance important and gives hunters an opportunity to contribute to Australia's broader surveillance effort. 

The advice for FGA members is simple: 

• AVOID contact with sick or dead wild birds and other wildlife. 

• RECORD what you observe. Where it is safe to do so, note the number and species of affected animals, location, date and time. 

• REPORT suspected cases to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. 

In Victoria, authorities ask people to report clusters of five or more sick or dead wild birds of any species. Even one sick or dead waterbird, seabird, shorebird, bird of prey or marine mammal should be reported. 

Members should not collect or handle suspected H5-affected wildlife unless specifically authorised and appropriately trained. 

Good field biosecurity is also important. Clothing, boots, vehicles and equipment can carry contaminated biological material. Hunters entering farming properties should contact the landholder before arriving and follow any property-specific biosecurity requirements. 

Understanding the numbers 

There is also an important change in the way Australia's H5 situation is being monitored. 

As the virus is confirmed in more locations and species, authorities will not necessarily test every animal or every species in areas where transmission is already known. 

National reporting is also now based on “events” rather than simply counting individual infected animals. A single event can involve more than one animal. 

This means the headline number of confirmed events will increasingly tell only part of the story. 

Changes in where the virus is appearing, the species affected, the scale of mortality and, importantly, whether it enters poultry or other agricultural production will become increasingly important indicators. 

FGA will continue to monitor these developments closely. 

A serious issue requiring evidence-based responses 

H5 bird flu is a serious wildlife and biosecurity issue. It should not be understated. 

At the same time, the Australian response demonstrates the importance of tailoring measures to the particular risk. Current responses include wildlife surveillance, targeted poultry biosecurity requirements and measures to protect particularly vulnerable native wildlife populations. 

For FGA, the appropriate approach is consistent with the principle we apply more broadly to game management: decisions should be based on credible science, monitoring and evidence about the species, population and circumstances involved. 

FGA will continue to support evidence-based and proportionate responses as the situation develops. 

We will also continue to consider how our network of members, volunteers and wetland conservation activities can contribute constructively to surveillance, reporting and the resilience of Australia's wetlands and wildlife. 

Know what to do 

The Australian Government's “Bird flu. Know what to do” campaign provides current information and practical guidance for people who encounter wildlife, keep poultry or pets, work on farms or spend time outdoors. 

FGA encourages members to familiarise themselves with the advice and, importantly, to report unusual illness or mortality in wild birds and other wildlife. 

Suspected H5 bird flu can be reported anywhere in Australia through the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888 

Further updates on H5 bird flu and its relevance to hunters, wetlands and wildlife will also be considered for the December edition of the Field & Game Australia magazine.