H5 bird flu in commercial poultry

In Western Australia, ‘poultry’ includes domestic chickens, turkeys, geese, ducks, guinea fowls, quails, pigeons, pheasants and partridges, ostriches and emus kept in captivity.

If you handle sick or dead birds, it is recommended to use appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

Voluntary poultry housing 

Voluntary poultry housing recommendation ended 11 August 2026

The voluntary housing recommendation for commercial poultry that has been in place in WA from 4 July to 10 August 2026 has ended. 

The recommendation has not been extended because:

• There has not been an H5 bird flu detection in WA for 28 days (as of 11 August 2026).
• There is no evidence of establishment of H5 bird flu in WA wild birds.
• The housing recommendation had already been in place for 38 days.

However, DPIRD continues to recommend enhanced biosecurity to commercial producers, particularly measures that reduce or prevent the interaction of wild birds with poultry, poultry feed, water or the environment poultry range on. 

DPIRD continues to monitor the risk of H5 bird flu establishing in WA and will communicate any changes to housing recommendations.

For more information, visit the voluntary housing for poultry webpage.

Signs of H5 bird flu in poultry 

In poultry, signs of H5 bird flu can include:

• sudden death
• lethargy or reluctance to walk, eat or drink
• droopy appearance or ruffled feathers
• head or limb swelling
• bruising (purple discolouration) of the wattle, comb, feet or skin
• respiratory signs such as panting, nasal discharge or sneezing
• diarrhoea
• unusual head or neck posture, lack of coordination, inability to walk or stand.

Poultry usually show signs of bird flu 2-14 days after being infected.

When bird flu testing is required

Testing to rule out the presence of bird flu must be done if poultry show the following signs:

Layers and breeders

• a 10% drop in egg production and/or
• the appearance of unexpected shell colour or shellless eggs in 5% or more of the eggs over a 2-3 day period and/or
• mortality of 0.5% per day or more for 3 or more days in any shed and/or
• any nervous or respiratory disease signs.

Broilers

• mortality (not including culling) of 0.5% per day or more for three days or more after the first week of placement and/or
• respiratory signs lasting more than two days and/or
• nervous signs regardless of the duration.

Reducing risks in poultry and biosecurity measures

To reduce the risk of H5 bird flu, it is important to keep wildlife away from poultry, poultry feed, water and their housing environment.

Further information on H5 bird flu for the WA commercial poultry industry is available at the links below:

• Find more information on bird flu (avian influenza) in poultry
• Learn how to reduce the risk or spread of H5 bird flu in poultry.
• Find information on voluntary housing for poultry.