H5 Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

The Shire of Carnarvon is encouraging residents to stay informed about H5 avian influenza (bird flu).

While the current risk to the general public remains low, it is important that everyone knows what to do if they encounter sick or dead birds. Avoid handling wildlife and report any concerns to the appropriate authorities. Current advice is that members of the public should not touch sick or dead birds, and should keep pets away from them.

Please refer to the poster below for an overview of bird flu, including signs to look out for and what action to take.

If You Find Sick or Dead Birds

The current risk to the general public from H5 avian influenza (bird flu) remains low. However, if you come across sick or dead birds or other wildlife, it is important to avoid direct contact and report your observations.

What should I do?

If you find a sick or dead bird:

Do not touch or handle the animal.
Keep children and pets away from the area.
Record the location, date and time, and if it is safe to do so, take photographs.
Report groups of sick or dead birds or other wildlife to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

If you have accidentally handled a sick or dead bird, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water as soon as possible. Alcohol-based hand sanitiser may also be used if soap and water are not immediately available, provided your hands are not visibly dirty.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

People should avoid handling sick or dead birds wherever possible.

If handling wildlife is unavoidable as part of authorised work or emergency response activities, appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) should be worn to reduce the risk of exposure.

Minimum PPE may include:

Disposable nitrile gloves
Eye protection (goggles or face shield)
A P2 or N95 respirator
Disposable fluid-resistant coveralls
Rubber boots or disposable boot covers
An impermeable apron where there is a risk of contamination from fluids

The type of PPE required depends on the activity being undertaken and the level of risk. Personnel involved in wildlife sampling, carcass collection or disposal should follow Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) guidance and use the appropriate PPE for the task.

Good Hygiene Practices

Whether working with birds or simply visiting areas where wildlife is present, good hygiene helps reduce the spread of disease.

Always:

Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with animals or contaminated objects.
Use alcohol-based hand sanitiser if soap and water are unavailable and your hands are not visibly dirty.
Clean and disinfect reusable equipment after use.
Avoid eating, drinking or touching your face while handling birds or contaminated equipment.

For Landowners and Organisations

If your organisation, business or property may require staff or volunteers to respond to sick or dead wildlife, ensure that:

Appropriate PPE is available.
Staff are trained in the correct use of PPE.
Used disposable PPE is double-bagged before disposal.
Reusable equipment is cleaned and disinfected after use.

Key Messages (as at 8 July 2026)

DPIRD is responding to the confirmed (or presumed) detection of H5 bird flu in 5 wild migratory sea birds east of Esperance, at Quindalup and in the Whitfords-Mullaloo beach area of Perth.
The presumed positive detection in WA is due to a number of factors because viral sequencing to confirm the virus as H5 bird flu was not able to be achieved.
There is a confirmed detection of H5 bird flu in one migratory sea bird in South Australia and one migratory sea bird in New South Wales.
DPIRD is responding to two additional suspect detections in wild migratory seabirds. These suspect detections were from two individual dead petrels, observed at Horrocks Beach in the Shire of Northampton and at Mullaloo Beach on Perth’s north metropolitan coast.
All confirmed detections of H5 bird flu have been tested by CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.
These are Australia’s first cases of the highly infectious H5 bird flu that has spread rapidly around the world in recent years.
There have been no detections in poultry and no evidence of other significant mortalities.
Bird flu is not a food safety risk for chicken meat and eggs if they are handled and cooked correctly.
Bird flu is a low risk to people. Transmission requires close contact with infected birds or animals, or contaminated environments.
Stay up to date with recommended influenza vaccination. The seasonal flu vaccine won’t protect against bird flu but minimises the risk that people become unwell with both
seasonal and bird flu viruses at the same time. For more visit Australian Centre for Disease Control.
WA is well prepared to respond quickly to H5 bird flu to protect our poultry production and reduce impacts on wildlife and communities.
DPIRD is leading the State response working with DBCA, Department of Health and local government.
Enhanced surveillance for H5 bird flu has commenced and we are engaging with the community, poultry industry, veterinarians and wildlife carers.
The community is asked to assist with surveillance for H5 bird flu.
Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or marine mammals should AVOID and not handle the animals but RECORD and take photos or a video and REPORT to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
There have been over 1200 reports to the WA EAD Hotline since 19 June.
While not every report will result in birds needing to be collected or tested, every report plays an important role in helping understand what is happening in the environment.
People should also take steps to keep pets away from wildlife, including preventing cats from roaming and keeping dogs on leads in wildlife areas.
If you own, care for, or work with birds, you should:
- prevent wild birds from mingling with your birds, and accessing their feed and water
- keep pens, aviaries, feeders and equipment clean
- wash hands thoroughly with soap before and after handling birds
More information about H5 bird flu is available at birdflu.gov.au
General enquiries about H5 bird flu can be emailed to H5birdflu@dpird.wa.gov.au

Important Disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
and the State of Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or
otherwise arising from the use or release of this information or any part of it.

More Information

For the latest information and official guidance, visit:

The Shire will continue to share important updates if the situation changes or if advice relevant to our community is issued by State or Federal authorities.