Bird Flu in the Inner West: An Update and Advice from Your Local Vet

Most people will be aware that Australia has recently had sea birds test positive for highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu. This strain of bird flu was first detected in 2020 and has been making its way around the world. Australia was the last continent for the disease to reach, and the Department of Primary Industries has been prepared for it since 2024.

When I started writing this article, Australia only had verified cases in migratory sea birds. We now have evidence of bird-to-bird transmission and our first mass mortality event, and the first case in a silver gull has also occurred. This is following the pattern seen in other countries, first a few cases, then an explosion.

The disease is a bird flu, but it does not just affect birds. H5N1 has caused huge losses to the poultry and dairy industries worldwide, large numbers of deaths in wild birds and sea mammals, and has been detected in more than 60 other mammal species, including marine mammals, bears, foxes, skunks, wild cats, and domestic cats and dogs. The first verified cases on Australian soil involved the deaths of over 12,000 seal pups on Heard Island.

There are no positive cases in suburban Sydney yet. However, a disease spread by wild birds cannot be contained, and it is highly likely to reach Five Dock, Leichhardt, Drummoyne, Haberfield and surrounding suburbs over time.

How is it transmitted?

Highly pathogenic bird flu is both an aggressive, often fatal disease and highly transmissible between birds via aerosolised droplets. Most domestic mammals have been infected from scavenging or being fed infected carcasses, raw meat, or raw milk. However, domestic cats and dogs can also be infected from close contact with infected birds. People can spread the disease through touching infected animals, and human infections have been recorded overseas.

It is likely that scavenging animals such as gulls and possums will spread the disease within Australia. So far, the most common route of infection for cats and dogs has been eating raw meat from infected animals.

How can you help?

Current NSW Government guidelines are not to touch or pick up obviously sick sea birds. Instead, photograph them and report them. If the disease spreads to Australian native birds or wildlife, this advice will apply more broadly. As caring people our first instinct is to help sick animals, but we all need to exercise caution for our own safety and our pets' safety when interacting with sick wildlife.

Protecting your pets

Our key recommendations are:

• Transition raw-fed pets to a cooked diet. There is a risk that poultry meat is infected with the virus. Freezing does not destroy it, and freeze-drying probably doesn't either.
• Don't leave pet food or water outside where wild birds can access it.
• Keep your pets well away from any sick or dead birds, as contact can spread the disease.
• If you have pet birds, move their cages or aviaries indoors if possible. If not, add an extra layer of wire or netting to prevent wild birds from coming close, and ensure there is no spilt seed to attract them.

Signs to watch for in birds

Signs of bird flu include weakness, seizures, incoordination, breathing difficulties, and sudden death. Affected wild birds are typically very obviously unwell and often found on the ground. There is no specific treatment available for birds at this stage.

Signs to watch for in cats and dogs

Symptoms in cats (and less frequently in dogs) are mostly respiratory and neurological:

• Fever
• Lethargy
• Decreased appetite
• Conjunctivitis
• Discharge from the nose and eyes
• Difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
• Neurological signs: tremors, seizures, circling, blindness, or incoordination

There is no specific treatment for bird flu in pets beyond supportive care such as intravenous fluids and nutritional support. Antivirals have been proposed but are not registered for use in pets, and there is no safety data for their use. Prevention is the best way to keep your pet safe.

Key takeaways

For the latest official guidance, visit agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu.