22/06/2026
🐦 AVIAN INFLUENZA (BIRD FLU) HAS ARRIVED IN WESTERN AUSTRALIA 🐦
Avian Influenza (H5) has recently been detected in Western Australia. Although the risk of infection in people is very low, the disease can spread rapidly among birds and cause significant illness and death. Knowing what signs to look for and how to minimise contact with affected birds is the best way to protect your pets, backyard flocks and our native wildlife.
What signs should you look out for?
Signs of concern in birds include:
⚠️ Sudden death
⚠️ Difficulty standing or flying
⚠️ Lack of coordination, tremors or swimming in circles
⚠️ Twisted neck or unusual posture
⚠️ Difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
⚠️ Swelling around the head, neck or eyes
⚠️ Cloudy or discoloured eyes
⚠️ Diarrhoea
If you find a sick or injured WILD bird, please do not touch, collect or transport the bird.
Moving sick birds increases the risk of spreading disease and may put you and other animals at risk. Instead, leave the bird where it is and report unusual illness or multiple bird deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888.
Keeping your pets safe
🐱 Cats: Keep cats indoors where possible to prevent them from hunting or coming into contact with sick or dead wild birds.
🐶 Dogs: Keep dogs on a lead in parks, beaches and wetlands, and prevent them from sniffing, mouthing or retrieving wild birds.
🐔 Backyard chicken owners: Keep your flock securely contained, prevent contact with wild birds and waterfowl, provide clean food and water that wild birds cannot access, and practise good hygiene by washing hands and changing footwear after handling your birds. If your flock develops sudden illness or unexplained deaths, seek veterinary advice immediately and report any suspicious signs.
Pet birds -
We are still able to assess pet birds that are not showing signs consistent with Avian Influenza. If your pet bird is unwell, please call us before coming to the clinic so we can discuss the safest way to help.
Should people be worried?
The risk of Avian Influenza spreading to humans remains very low and generally requires close contact with infected birds or their secretions. The best way to protect yourself, your pets and our local wildlife is to avoid handling sick or dead birds and report any concerns promptly.
💙 Thank you for helping us keep our community, our pets and our incredible native wildlife safe. If you have any questions about your pet bird or are unsure what to do, please give our clinic a call before attending.
