South Australian birdwatchers enlisted in bird flu surveillance

South Australia's birdwatching community is being enlisted to strengthen the state's response to H5 bird flu.

The Malinauskas Government has partnered with Conservation Council SA, Birds SA and BirdLife Australia to deliver a specialist training program for volunteer bird observers.

Participants will join a new Bird Observers Network, receiving training to identify and report wild birds showing signs of avian influenza, while also learning the latest safety protocols and response procedures.

The initiative is designed to strengthen surveillance across coastal and wetland environments by drawing on the local knowledge of experienced birdwatchers.

South Australia has recorded five confirmed cases of H5 bird flu in wild seabirds, but authorities say there have been no detections in commercial poultry and no evidence the virus has become established in Australia.

The public is being reminded not to handle sick or dead birds, and instead record their observations and report them through the national Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.