Avian Influenza
Stay informed about avian influenza (H5 bird flu) in the Bega Valley. Learn how to report sick or dead birds, protect backyard poultry and pets, access the latest health and biosecurity advice, and find local wildlife and community resources.
H5 bird flu is a serious strain of H5N1 avian influenza (bird flu) that spreads easily and can cause severe illness or death in poultry, wild birds, and some mammals.
H5 bird flu could have major impacts on kept birds, backyard flocks, commercial poultry, native wildlife, and the economy. Reports of dead or sick animals help authorities to arrange testing and are key to a rapid local response, including isolation and removal where required.
The Bega Valley is home to:
- Wide ranging biodiversity including seal colonies, a Little Penguin colony, and threatened shorebirds including Hooded Plovers and Little Terns
- Rich habitats including wetlands and coastal estuaries
- Local food producers, including backyard bird owners, small scale egg producers and a free-range poultry industry
- Tourism, businesses, volunteers, industry, bushwalkers, bird enthusiasts, scientists and community.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPIRD) is responsible for leading the detection, testing and management of H5 bird flu in NSW. Because situations can change quickly, we will always refer you to their website, as the lead agency, to ensure that you have access to the most current information and advice.
Council and other agencies are supporting NSW DPIRD in the local biosecurity response to avian influenza (H5 bird flu) detections.
What to do if you find sick or dead birds and animals
NSW DPIRD advises to:
- Avoid touching or handling sick or dead birds or wildlife;
- Avoid direct contact with birds and their droppings;
- Record what you see, including the location and the number of birds affected;
- Report sick or dead birds of any species, including seabirds, wild birds, backyard poultry or pet birds, anywhere in NSW
- Report sick or dead marine mammals including seals and dolphins.
To Report, please call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888 (24 hours)
This national hotline connects your reports to the NSW incident management team for review and risk assessment.
Read more about what happens when you make a report here: Avian influenza | Department of Primary Industries
If a sick or dead bird is on Council land– for example a sports field, beach, playground or walking track – Council asks our community to report to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888) AND use the Snap Send Solve app or call 6499 2222 to assist Council staff to attend quickly.
Disposal of Dead Birds and Animals
Please avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds and animals.
If you come across sick or dead wild birds or animals on Council owned or managed land, please alert Council by calling (02) 6499 2222 or using the Snap Send Solve app. Do not dispose of dead birds or animals that are on Council land.
Disposing of dead wild birds and animals at your property
Report dead wildlife to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline and dispose of them if you are advised to do so.
Please refer to the following safety guidance from NSW Health and NSW DPIRD.
If advised to dispose of the dead animal into your home Council red bin, please ensure that you have read the safety guidance above, that the bird is double bagged and that animals and children do not have access to your bin.
If advised to bury the dead animal at your property, burial must be at least 60cm deep to discourage scavengers. Do not bury near a water source.
Backyard Poultry and Bird Owners and Food Safety
If you have backyard chooks or birds, you can take practical steps now to reduce the chance of your birds making contact with wild birds, wild bird droppings, or contaminated water. Visit NSW DPIRD for the latest advice: Poultry and captive bird keepers | Department of Primary Industries
Whether you keep one chicken or a whole flock, Poultry Post is your go-to national newsletter for biosecurity tips, H5 bird flu updates and expert advice to keep your birds safe: Sign up here Welcome to the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry subscription centre
If you sell eggs, be aware of your existing obligation to notify the NSW Food Authority of egg sales (online, free of charge), and of the many useful resources on their website for safe egg production Eggs | NSW Food Authority I
Follow standard food safety advice, cooking eggs and meat thoroughly, and using pasteurised milk.
If you have any questions about selling eggs, local food production, or food safety, please get in touch with Council’s Environmental Health team.
Local bird owner groups that you might like to join or support include:
Human Health
NSW Health advises that H5 bird flu rarely spreads to humans but may occur if there is close contact with infected birds/animals, droppings, or heavily contaminated environments.
For the most current human health advice, visit NSW Health: Bird flu (avian influenza)
Businesses should be aware of NSW Safework guidance for businesses: Avian influenza | SafeWork NSW
Wildlife
H5 bird flu presents a new risk to our local and Australian wildlife.
Information about protecting and caring for wildlife and habitat during H5 bird flu includes:
Local wildlife and habitat protection groups and organisations
Local wildlife and habitat protection groups and organisations that you can consider joining or supporting include:
Citizen Science
Consider joining local birdwatching groups to learn more about what birds are in the area, joiningiNaturalist, Backyard Bird Count, or downloading apps Birdata and Atlas of Living Australia. This citizen science contributes to a better understanding of wildlifehealth and population and species trends across our shire, and is important regardless of H5 bird flu.
Resources
Resources to print and share in your business, school, or community group:
Questions and Feedback
If you have a question or some feedback about the local response to H5 bird flu, you can call council on 6499 2222 or email council@begavalley.nsw.gov.au so that we can provide this to our lead agency NSW DPIRD and supporting agencies. This may assist with ensuring that H5 bird flu information provided addresses community questions, or in the local response to H5 bird flu.