H5 bird flu

H5 bird flu

H5 bird flu is a serious disease that mainly affects birds but can also affect other animals.

If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife

Do not touch or handle sick or dead birds or other wildlife

Avoid contact with their environment

Record what you see and where you saw it

Report it to Agriculture Victoria (DEECA)

Report sick or dead wildlife to DEECA online

or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on

1800 675 888

What is H5 bird flu?

Bird flu is a type of virus that mainly affects birds. It can also affect other animals and, on rare occasions, humans

Find out more at:

Bird flu (Australian Centre for Disease Control Avian)

influenza virus strains are described as either:

low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI), or

high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI)

Most LPAI strains of the bird flu virus cause minimal disease in wild birds and poultry. HPAI strains have high mortality rates. Some LPAI strains can evolve into HPAI strains when they spread among poultry.

Different HPAI strains have different risks. For example, H7 strains such as H7N9, have previously caused serious outbreaks in poultry and Australia has successfully contained and eradicated H7 bird flu strains in the past.

Overseas, the highly contagious H5 strain (H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b) has caused severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and affected mammals.

In recent years H5 bird flu has spread fast around the world. The wild birds that are most affected include waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds and birds of prey or scavengers. Marine mammals have also been affected, with some detections in other animals like cats, goats, alpacas and pigs.

Overseas, H5 bird flu has been detected in:

domestic pets including cats and dogs

farm animals including dairy cows, and sporadically pigs, sheep and goats

marine mammals including dolphins and seals

wild animals including foxes and polar bears

Signs of bird flu

Infected animals might look very sick - or show no signs at all. Sometimes birds can die suddenly without warning.

That's why it's important to report any sick or dead birds or other animals, even if you're unsure.

Keep watch for signs of bird flu.

Common signs of bird flu in animals Wild birds:

can't stand, walk, or fly properly

droopy or puffed-up appearance

breathing problems (panting or sneezing)

unusual head or neck posture

sudden death (especially in large numbers) Poultry (chickens, ducks, etc.)

sudden drop in egg production

ethargy or not eating/drinking

swollen head or limbs

bruising on comb, feet, or skin

breathing issues or runny nose

sudden death Mammals (seals, cows, cats, etc.)

weakness or tiredness

trouble walking or breathing

seizures, tremors or walking in circles

drooling or runny nose

sudden illness or death

How bird flu spreads

Infected birds can spread the virus through body fluids, droppings and feathers. In the right conditions, the virus can survive in the environment for months.

The virus can spread through contaminated clothing and shoes. It can also spread through animals, vehicles and equipment, and items like egg cartons.

Most bird flu strains do not spread easily from animals to people. There is no evidence that the current H5 bird flu strain spreads between people. Bird flu transmission requires close contact with infected birds or other infected animals, or contaminated environments.

Bird flu in Australia

In June 2026, Australia had its first detections of the H5 bird flu in migratory seabirds on Australia's southern coast.

You can read more on this detection at birdflu.gov.au.

The 2025 H7 bird flu outbreak in Victoria was eradicated in June 2025. This is a different strain to the H5 bird flu strain.

Australia has contained and eradicated H7 bird flu several times over the past 50 years. This demonstrates the strength of our established national response arrangements.

Resources

Report sick or dead wild birds and wildlife

Latest Information H5 bird flu (Agriculture Victoria)

Bird flu (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry)

H5 bird flu Frequently Asked Questions (Birdlife Australia)

Interactive map (DEECA)

Emergency

Environment