Incidents

For information on the HPAI H7 outbreaks in poultry in Victoria, NSW and the ACT, see HPAI H7 in poultry, Vic, NSW and ACT - May & June 2024.

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has caused ongoing outbreaks of disease in wild birds, from 2021, throughout much of North and South America, Europe, Asia and Africa, and into Antarctica and its islands. Mortalities have been observed in a wide range of species, seen as individual bird deaths and have included mass mortalities. The emergence of the 2.3.4.4b strain overseas means an increased risk to Australia, due to the increase in the likelihood of entry into Australia via wild bird movements and anticipated increased consequences if it were to enter. 

Avian influenza is a nationally notifiable disease which means if you suspect an animal is showing signs of the disease, you must report it. You can do this by calling the national Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Note: All Australian jusrisdictions also require that all avian influenza virus detections are reported to the relevant Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO).

WHA advice and information

• Advice for people who encounter sick or dead wild birds (Sept 2024, v. 3.3)
• Advice for veterinarians and other animal health professionals (Sept 2024, v. 3.3)
• Advice for bird banders, wildlife rangers and researchers (Sept 2024, v. 3.3)
• WHA HPAI risk mitigation toolboxes: guidance documents focussing on prevention and preparedness for wildlife managers and wildlife care providers
• WHA HPAI Communications Guide for Managers of Wild Animal Populations (Jun 2024) 
• WHA Fact Sheet: Avian influenza in wild birds in Australia (Aug 2024)
• Technical Issue Update – Global HPAI Events (Sept 2023)
• Find out more about Australia's Wild Bird Avian Influenza Surveillance program
• HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b incursion risk assessment for Australia (scroll to the bottom of the redirected page to find this report)

Guidelines (national and international)

• National Wildlife Biosecurity Guidelines
• World Organisation for Animal Health - Considerations for emergency vaccination of wild birds against HPAI in specific situations
• WHO guidelines on influenza in animals (Aug 2023) Public health resource pack for countries experiencing outbreaks of influenza in animals
• World Organisation for Animal Health -  Practical guide for authorised field responders to HPAI outbreaks in marine mammals, with a focus on biosecurity, sample collection for virus detection and carcass disposal
• Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels - Guidelines for working with albatrosses and petrels during the HPAI H5N1 panzootic

Webinars and video presentations on HPAI

• Public Health Association of Australia webinar - What individuals need to know to prepare for the likely arrival of HPAI H5N1 in Australia from a One Health perspective
• Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Exercise Volare webinar: strengthening Australia’s preparedness for high pathogenic avian influenza
• Biodiversity Council webinar - Preparing for bird flu impacts on Australian wildlife
• WHA video: HPAI and implications for Australian wildlife (April 2024) 
• Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy - Avian influenza awareness: Keep a TopWatch! (video)
• Webinar series: How to protect wildlife from avian flu in UNESCO World Heritage sites, Biosphere Reserves and Ramsar sites  Includes recordings of presentations by field workers, policy makers and WHA staff, as well as links to further information for wildlife managers.

Further information (Australia)

• Australian Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry - Information on Avian Influenza or Bird Flu and Information for bird owners
• Outbreak.gov.au provides details on how to prepare for and respond to animal pests and diseases
• The Avian Influenza AUSVETPLAN sets out the nationally agreed response approach to Avian Influenza outbreaks in Australia. Download from Animal Health Australia website under Disease specific documents
• Michelle Wille's website - Avian influenza resources

Further information (international)

• World Organisation for Animal Health & IUCN SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group - Avian Influenza and Wildlife: Risk management for people working with wild birds
• OFFLU statement on Continued expansion of HPAI H5 in wildlife in South America and incursion into the Antarctic region (Dec 2023)
• Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds
• FAO wild bird HPAI surveillance sample collection manual