Avian influenza in Victoria

Australia’s first human case of avian influenza (H5N1) infection, also known as “bird flu”, has been reported in Victoria. In recent weeks, animal health authorities have also detected unrelated outbreaks of avian influenza in poultry farms in regional Victoria, caused by different strains of avian influenza virus.

Avian influenza is an infectious disease of animals that can spread among wild birds, particularly aquatic birds, as well as domestic and farmed birds such as chickens and ducks. Sometimes this causes very little illness in the birds (low pathogenicity avian influenza or LPAI) and sometimes it causes many birds to die with a high impact to animal health (high pathogenicity avian influenza or HPAI). There is a current global outbreak of HPAI in birds and other animals responsible for many species becoming infected across many countries. 

Avian influenza viruses do not usually infect people, but in rare cases human infection can occur. For more information on the recent human case of H5N1 avian influenza, the Western Public Health Unit (WPHU) recommends reading the Chief Health Officer Advisory issued by the Victorian Department of Health on 22 May 2024, which is available by clicking here. Agriculture Victoria have released statements regarding avian influenza outbreaks on poultry farms, found on the Agriculture Victoria media releases website and available here, including a specific media release on 23 May 2024 which is available here. 

There has currently been no evidence of any transmission to humans associated with these HPAI poultry outbreaks in Victoria. Whilst avian influenza spreads easily between birds, the likelihood of human cases is considered to be low as avian influenza does not easily spread to people or between people. 

Vaccination

There is currently no human vaccination available for avian influenza.  

The seasonal influenza vaccine (flu shot) is recommended for all people aged 6 months and over but is strongly recommended for additional groups who may be at risk of exposure to avian influenza. These additional groups are: 

• people travelling during the influenza season
• commercial poultry workers
• anyone exposed to an avian influenza outbreak area within Victoria at the current time.

While the flu vaccine will not protect against avian influenza, it does protect against human influenza. The reason for making sure any person exposed to avian influenza has been vaccinated with the flu vaccine is to try to minimise the chances a person gets both infections at once. If this happens, it is possible the virus might mutate and develop into a strain that both passes easily between people and causes very serious infection, triggering a new human influenza pandemic.  

How to protect yourself against avian influenza

Advice for the general public

• get vaccinated against seasonal influenza – immunisation against seasonal influenza is recommended for everyone aged 6 months and over. Speak to your immunisation provider to see if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine. Otherwise, you can purchase the flu vaccine from your immunisation provider. In Victoria the most common way people access the flu vaccine is from their doctor (GP) or a pharmacist immuniser (a service fee may apply)
• wash your hands thoroughly after handling birds and uncooked poultry products such as meat or eggs
• ensure that poultry and egg products are cooked thoroughly before eating. 

Advice for travellers

Before you travel you should:

• use the Smartraveller website to research your destination, check local health and safety alerts, and keep up to date on the latest travel advice
• get your seasonal influenza vaccine (flu shot).

While you travel you should:

• avoid poultry farms and live bird “wet” markets
• avoid contact with wild or domesticated birds
• clean soles of shoes or any equipment which has come into contact with bird droppings
• wash your hands thoroughly after handling birds and uncooked poultry products such as meat or eggs
• ensure that poultry and egg products are cooked thoroughly before eating.

When you return you should:

• if you become unwell while travelling home, tell the flight/vessel crew or a biosecurity officer and they will be able to provide you with advice and support
• sometimes you might not get symptoms until after your return. If you have returned from a country affected by avian influenza and feel unwell, it is important to seek medical advice. Although the risk of becoming infected with avian influenza is very low, it is important when making an appointment with your healthcare provider to tell them about any possible exposures to avian influenza.

Information for clinicians/frontline health professionals

Human avian influenza infection may be a cause of respiratory infection in an ill person who has attended a Victorian farm currently affected by avian influenza, or in a returned traveller with respiratory illness who was in avian influenza affected areas such as South East Asia, South America, or the United States. When there is a possibility of avian influenza in a patient, especially in a returned overseas traveller, the following actions are recommended:

• test for influenza (amongst other possible causes) and mark the request “Possible avian influenza” to ensure subtyping occurs through the public health reference laboratory
• for patients where you suspect avian influenza in the WPHU catchment, call WPHU on 1800 497 111 to notify. For all other patients where avian influenza is suspected, contact your local public health unit – see local public health units in Victoria
• wear a well fitted mask when seeing the patient
• optimise air exchange in patient examination rooms – for more information on ventilation, click here
• undertake hand hygiene between patients
• make sure staff are vaccinated against seasonal influenza.

Calling WPHU to notify a possible case will ensure subtyping occurs if influenza A is confirmed, and WPHU can also provide advice on whether there are current areas of concern for avian influenza in Victoria.

Information for poultry workers

It’s vitally important that poultry workers, people who handle poultry or eggs, and people involved in culling birds during an outbreak of avian influenza get vaccinated against influenza. While the vaccine will not protect against avian influenza, it can help prevent genetic mixing between human and avian influenza strains, which may lead to a new human pandemic influenza virus emerging. 

Speak to your immunisation provider to see if you are eligible for a free flu vaccine. Otherwise, you can purchase the flu vaccine from your immunisation provider. In Victoria the most common way people access the flu vaccine is from their doctor (GP) or a pharmacist immuniser (a service fee may apply). 

Notify your workplace if you notice sick or dead birds.  

For more information visit:

• Bird flu (avian influenza) – Better Health Channel
• Avian influenza in humans (bird flu) – Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
• Avian influenza in humans CDNA National Guidelines for Public Health Units – Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
• Vaccination for people at occupational risk – The Australian Immunisation Handbook