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H5 bird flu (avian influenza) in humans for health professionals
Australia has detected H5N1 avian influenza in wild birds.
For more information on the current situation visit www.birdflu.sa.gov.au. This site is a central source of information for primary producers, veterinarians, wildlife carers and the wider community.
For information on human health, visit Bird flu (avian influenza) page.
Bird flu in humans is a notifiable condition.
What is bird flu (avian influenza)?
Avian influenza (bird flu) viruses are common in wild birds and cause outbreaks in poultry. It is caused by various strains of influenza A viruses.
Some strains of bird flu cause no or mild disease while others can cause severe disease and death in wild birds and poultry (such as chickens). Certain strains can infect mammals including seals and livestock.
The risk to global public health has been assessed as low by the World Health Organization and to national public health in Australia as low by the Australian Centre for Disease Control.
Bird flu in humans
The risk to human health from H5 bird flu is low.
Avian flu transmission to humans only occurs when there is close contact with infected birds or other infected animals, or the litter/waste of infected birds/animals.
Health professionals are advised to:
- Consider avian influenza in patients with clinical criteria AND exposure criteria within 10 days of illness onset. Refer to the Avian Influenza in Humans Initial Patient Management Flow Chart.
- Use standard and transmission-based precautions (contact, droplet and airborne). Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (gown, gloves, eye protection, fit checked particulate filter respirator (PFR e.g. N95/P2)). Undertake hand hygiene.
- Collect combined nasal and throat viral swab for respiratory NAT. Request avian influenza testing and include exposure information. Send samples to SA Pathology; call ahead ((08) 8222 3000). Standard influenza NAT and RATs do not test for avian influenza.
- Notify Communicable Disease Control Branch immediately of suspected or confirmed cases (1300 232 272).
- Encourage patients to Avoid, Record and Report sick or dead birds to 1800 675 888.
- Recommend seasonal influenza vaccinations to patients (6 months and older).
For more information on bird flu in humans, including symptoms, diagnosis, management, testing, treatment and prevention, see the Avian influenza (bird flu) Health professional factsheet (PDF 179KB).