H5 bird flu and human health

Bird flu rarely infects people and the current risk to Australians is considered low.

Overseas most human infections have occurred after close contact with sick birds, infected livestock or contaminated environments, and where personal protective equipment (PPE) was not worn.

Avoid handling sick or dead wildlife where possible. If you need to handle dead wildlife, you should guidance for disposal of dead wildlife and practice good hygiene.

If you work with birds that may be infected with H5 bird flu, see information for wildlife workers and commercial poultry including advice on the correct use of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Symptoms of H5 bird flu in people and what to do

People who have H5 bird flu may have no or only mild symptoms. Symptoms generally appear between 1 and 10 days after exposure to the virus. 

Symptoms are similar to the seasonal flu and may include:

• sore, irritated or red eyes (conjunctivitis) 
• fever
• cough
• sore throat
• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• headaches
• runny or stuffy nose
• body aches
• nausea, vomiting or diarrhoea (less common).

If you suspect you have bird flu

If you develop flu-like symptoms after contact with sick birds, poultry or wildlife you should:

• Contact your general practitioner (GP) and tell them you have been around sick birds or wildlife. Your GP will contact the local WA Public Health Unit for advice and provide guidance on how to get tested.
• Stay home and away from other people as much as possible while you are unwell. In a medical emergency, always seek immediate health care or phone triple zero (000).

More information about symptoms, what to do and how to protect yourself can be found on the Department of Health website: 

Avian influenza (bird flu) - HealthyWA

Food safety

Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) advises:

• H5 bird flu is not known to spread to people via food 
• It is safe to eat thoroughly prepared and cooked chicken meat and eggs.
• commercially pasteurised milk products are safe to consume.

If your backyard animals show signs of disease, you should not consume any of their products (e.g. milk, eggs).

Guidance on appropriately preparing and handling food can be found on the Healthy WA website.

H5 bird flu vaccination for people

There is currently no specific human vaccine for H5 bird flu.

It is recommended anyone 6 months or older gets an annual flu vaccination. This is especially important for anyone working with wild birds or poultry.

Although it does not protect you from bird flu, it:

• protects you from getting sick with human flu and bird flu at the same time
• it also reduces the risk of seasonal flu and bird flu viruses mixing to create a more dangerous influenza virus.

It’s especially important for people who work with wild birds or poultry, and other people at greater risk of exposure to get their annual flu vaccination.

Find more information about seasonal flu vaccination for people and H5 bird flu:

• Avian influenza (bird flu) - HealthyWA
• Influenza (flu) vaccine
• Immunisation Handbook - Recommendations for poultry industry workers
• National Guidelines for Avian Influenza - Protecting people who work with birds and wildlife

For more information about bird flu vaccinations for animals visit About H5 bird flu.

Support available

If you are feeling concerned, stressed or worried about H5 bird flu, visit access health for mental health support services available.

More information and resources

Additional information for people who work with wild birds, poultry and wildlife:

• CDNA national guidelines for avian influenza – Protecting people who work with birds and wildlife | Australian Centre for Disease Control – information for employers and managers
• Bird flu toolkit for people who work with birds | Australian Centre for Disease Control

Additional information about flu vaccinations:

• Influenza (flu) vaccine