22/06/2026
🚨 🦅 BIRD FLU ALERT 🦅 🚨
The highly pathogenic H5 strain of avian influenza for the first time has been detected on the mainland. It’s recently been found in wild, migratory birds in Western Australia. This strain of bird flu is known for causing widespread disease and deaths in birds and other animals across the world.
There is risk of the virus coming to Tasmania, most likely by wild birds migrating. It spreads by bird to bird contact or via contact with contaminated material (food, water, manure, clothing and equipment).
Who is affected?
🦅 Birds (chickens, parrots, wild birds…)
🦅 Wildlife
🦅 Can spread to humans (currently, low risk) and even other animals.
Signs to look for in birds:
⚠️ neurological such as unsteadiness, stumbling, weakness, tremors, seizures, inability to stand or fly
⚠️ respiratory such as difficulty breathing, discoloured or bruised comb/wattles, nasal discharge, coughing or sneezing
⚠️ digestive upsets such as off food or diarrhoea
⚠️ lethargy
⚠️ unusual reduction in egg production
⚠️ sudden deaths ‼️
What to do?
⚠️ REPORT IT!
Do not approach nor touch sick or dead birds or other animals to avoid spreading the disease.
If you see anything suspicious like large numbers of deceased wild birds or animals, report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888
If you have sick birds, please call the clinic.
Please stay prepared by having biosecurity measures in place to protect your bird flocks.
For further information:
See the posters attached below and the Biosecurity Tas website www.nre.tas.gov.au/BirdFlu
