Avian influenza found in birds in Victoria

Key messages

• H5N1 strain of avian influenza (also called H5 bird flu) has been detected in a wild bird in Victoria.
• H5N1 avian influenza spreads easily between birds and can spread to other mammals, but rarely from birds to humans.
• The current risk of H5N1 avian influenza to people in Victoria is low. Locally acquired human infections with this strain have not been reported in Australia.
• If you see multiple sick or dead birds or other animals, do not touch them. Avoid contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 from anywhere in Australia.
• Healthcare professionals should consider avian influenza H5N1 in patients who present with influenza-like illness AND who have had contact with sick or dead birds or animals (either overseas or in Australia).
• Symptoms of H5N1 bird flu are like seasonal flu (fever, headache, fatigue, muscle aches, and respiratory symptoms) and may include conjunctivitis (sore red eyes).
• Avian influenza in humans is an ‘urgent’ notifiable condition in Victoria.

What is the issue?

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is caused by influenza viruses. It mainly spreads between birds. It can sometimes spread from birds to other animals and rarely to humans. Bird flu very rarely spreads from person-to-person.

H5N1 avian influenza, also called H5 bird flu, has been detected for the first time in a wild bird in Victoria. Detections in birds have been reported in Western Australia, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland this year. H5N1 bird flu has spread globally among many species of wild birds, poultry and sea mammals.

Who is at risk?

Most people are not at risk of avian influenza, as the viruses do not spread easily from birds to people.

People at higher risk of getting bird flu include those who have close contact with birds (and their respiratory secretions, faeces (droppings) or other body fluids), such as poultry or wildlife workers.

People who travel to countries with bird flu outbreaks and have contact with sick birds or other animals are also at higher risk.

Symptoms and transmission

Human cases of H5N1 bird flu are rare. Infection can be asymptomatic or present with symptoms varying from mild to severe. Symptoms may include flu-like symptoms such as:

• fever
• chills
• cough
• sore throat
• runny nose
• red sore eyes
• fatigue
• muscle aches and pains
• headache
• shortness of breath.

Less common symptoms may include diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting.

In rare severe cases it can result in pneumonia, neurological changes (such as seizures), encephalitis, sepsis and multi-organ failure, which can potentially lead to death.

People can become infected if they:

• have close contact with infected birds and other animals or their respiratory secretions, faeces (droppings) and other body fluids
• breathe in contaminated dust or droplets.

The spread of H5N1 bird flu between people is very rare but may occur when a person has prolonged close contact with an infected person without wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).

You cannot catch H5N1 bird flu from eating fully cooked poultry or eggs, even in areas with an outbreak of bird flu.

Recommendations

For the general public

• People should avoid contact with sick or dead birds or other animals. If you find multiple sick or dead birds, you should:
  • Avoid contact
  • Record what you see (by taking a photo or video of the animals and your location)
  • Report this to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action or Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 (24/7).
  • This can also be done through the online form.
• Getting your seasonal flu vaccination is strongly recommended. It reduces the risk of becoming seriously ill if you are exposed to both seasonal flu and bird flu at the same time.
• Yearly flu vaccination is recommended for all people aged 6 months and over and is available through GPs, community pharmacies, Aboriginal Health services and local councils.
• People working in close contact with poultry, sick birds or other animals should practise good hygiene and wear appropriate personal protective equipment Receiving a seasonal flu vaccine is particularly important for those that work with poultry or birds. Visit the Bird flu toolkit for people who work with birds for more information.

What to do if you are unwell and may have been exposed to H5N1 bird flu:

• Seek medical advice and tell your GP about any possible contact with a sick or dead bird.
• Wear a face mask and call ahead before attending your appointment so you can be seen separately from other patients if needed.
• H5N1 bird flu is diagnosed by testing swabs taken from the nose and throat. If you are diagnosed with H5N1 bird flu, you will need to isolate to stop it spreading.

For health professionals

• Healthcare professionals should consider avian influenza H5N1 in patients who present with influenza-like illness AND who have had contact with sick or dead birds or animals (either in Australia or overseas) in the 10 days before onset of symptoms.
• Animal-to-human transmission of H5N1 avian influenza is rare. Other respiratory viruses are more likely to be the cause of illness in people.
• If you suspect avian influenza in a patient
• Provide patient a surgical mask and isolate, preferably in a single room.

Testing

• Samples should be collected while wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and in a negative pressure room if available. For the management of a suspected human case of avian influenza, this includes gloves, gown, protective eyewear and a P2 or N95 respirator.
  • Collect nasopharyngeal or nose and throat swab for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, and collect additional swabs based on symptoms (e.g. conjunctival swab for conjunctivitis).
  • Clearly specify that testing is for avian influenza, include relevant clinical and exposure information and mark the request as urgent.
  • Advise the patient to isolate at home until results become available.

Notification

• Medical practitioners and pathology services must notify any suspected or confirmed cases immediately to the department of health by calling 1300 651 160 (24/7) and connecting to the relevant Local Public Health Unit. Local Public Health Unit will advise on appropriate testing for avian influenza, if required.
• Recommend seasonal influenza vaccination for all patients aged 6 months and over
• The seasonal flu vaccine will minimise the risk that people become unwell with both seasonal and bird viruses at the same time. Local Public Health Units will follow up suspected cases and contacts.