NSW Urges Vigilance for Signs of Avian Influenza

The NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is urging residents to remain alert for signs of avian influenza in poultry and wildlife. While Australia remains free of the H5N1 strain circulating overseas, authorities warn the disease could enter the country through migrating wild birds, particularly during spring.

NSW maintains response plans aligned with national AUSVETPLAN protocols, as H5N1 poses a serious risk to the state’s poultry industry and wildlife. The virus causes illness and deaths in wild bird species and some mammals, especially marine mammals. Public health risk remains very low, with most human cases worldwide linked to close contact with infected birds.

Authorities are asking poultry owners to watch for sudden deaths, coughing, swelling around the head or eyes, abnormal posture or balance, and drops in egg production. Any unusual illness in poultry or wildlife should be reported to a veterinarian, Local Land Services, or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Producers are also encouraged to strengthen on-farm biosecurity by preventing contact between wild birds and domestic flocks, maintaining clean housing and equipment, securely storing feed, and quarantining new birds for 30 days. NSW has recently secured $2.18 million in federal funding to bolster preparedness, including new response equipment and wildlife protection measures through the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.