What do I need to know about H5N1 avian influenza or bird flu?

Infectious diseases like avian influenza can have an impact on animal welfare – both due to its direct impacts on the health of animals and the controls put in place to minimise the spread of the disease. 

Whilst the risk of spread to other animals including dogs, cats and even humans is low, there are steps you can take to reduce the risk of exposure for your animal companions.

Dogs should remain on leash near wild bird habitats, like near the beach, and not allowed to interact with sick/injured wildlife. 

If possible, contain your cat to your property and limit their exposure to wild birds and protect their food and water from exposure to wild birds. If you choose to contain your cat, we recommend checking out our Safe and Happy Cats site that provides advice on how to do so with the welfare of your cat as a priority.

If you have backyard chickens or pet birds who are kept outside, it is recommended that you place them under cover. To look after their health and welfare needs, ensure their indoor or covered enclosure has good ventilation and space for them to move around freely, and provide your hens with opportunity for nesting, dust bathing and foraging. It is important to protect their feed and water supply from exposure to wild birds and other animals to give them the best protection from avian influenza.  

Right now, the risk is very low as there is no evidence of spread between animals in Australia. If the disease does spread to native birds and wildlife in Australia, the risk will still be low, and you can manage this further by following the advice above.  

In overseas cases, cats have been infected by contact with sick wild birds or domestic poultry or the ingestion of raw poultry meat and raw (unpasteurised) milk. Transmission between cats has not been confirmed and is considered very low risk [1].  

It is also important to know that the risk to humans from cats and dogs is very low [2] and there is no evidence of transmission from cats to other species. 

It is important to remember that avian influenza infections in companion animals are very rare. Animals generally need to be exposed to infected wild birds or poultry or their waste.  

Clinical symptoms in cats include respiratory or neurological signs, and sometimes sudden death, although these remain very rare. 

If your dog or cat display symptoms of eating less, tiredness, trouble breathing, eye or nose discharge, coughing or sneezing or incoordination and tremors [3] then it is important to get them checked by a veterinarian. If they have recently had exposure to wildlife and you are particularly concerned about avian influenza, make sure you let your veterinarian know when you book the appointment. 

Avian influenza causes a number of symptoms that impact on wildlife welfare. It is important to follow biosecurity advice and not touch sick or injured wildlife and follow the required reporting mechanisms. The most up to date advice can be found at birdflu.gov.au.

Key points to remember if you come across sick or dead birds or other animals:

1. Do not touch them or get too close
2. Record your location (take photos or video if helpful)
3. Report to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888