Bird flu (avian influenza)
Bird flu, also called avian influenza, is an infectious disease caused by the influenza virus. It mainly spreads between birds, sometimes to other animals and rarely to humans. People with close contact with sick birds or animals are at higher risk. Bird flu has been detected in wild birds in Australia and internationally.
If you develop flu-like symptoms after returning from an outbreak area or after contact with sick or dead birds/animals, see your doctor.
Risk from properly cooked chicken and eggs is very low—cook thoroughly and handle safely. If you find multiple sick or dead birds/animals, avoid contact and report to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action or call 1800 675 888.
- Organisation:
- Topic:
- Target audience:
- General
- Service area:
- VIC
- Published:
- July 2026
- Last reviewed:
- July 2026
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