Bird flu is on Country
Bird flu is on Country now. It is a sickness in birds and animals, not a sickness spreading between people. You will see it before anyone else does, so keep your hands off sick or dead birds, get eyes and a phone on it, and sing out to your ranger group, your clinic or the hotline.
HANDS OFF.
Don’t touch sick or dead birds or animals. Keep the kids and the dogs back.
EYES ON.
Get a photo from a distance, if it’s right to take one. Note the place and the day.
SING OUT.
Your ranger group. Your clinic. Or 1800 675 888, any time.
It’s here. Bird flu reached Australia in June. Sick and dead seabirds have turned up in five states. You’ll see it before anyone else. Mob have been reading this Country a long time. The first case in the whole country was found by rangers on their own Sea Country.
It’s in birds and animals, not spreading between people, and while the risk to you is low, there are still things you can do to keep yourself safe. But if you come across sick or dead birds: hands off, eyes on, sing out. One sea bird, water bird, shorebird, eagle, hawk or seal is enough to report. Five or more of any other bird, report that too.
NACCHO has developed a toolkit of resources to help people in your community with knowing what to look out for and how to report cases of sick or dead birds. You can download a poster, flyer and social media tiles.
See something: 1800 675 888, day or night.
We know this Country. We know when something’s not right.
Resources and toolkit
FAQs
Who turns up if I ring?
Biosecurity mob from your state or territory. They ask what you saw and where.
Most reports don’t need a visit. If they come, they take samples. That’s it.
Rather not ring? Tell your ranger group or your clinic. They may make the call with you.
Can we still get bush tucker?
Yes. Handled and cooked properly, it’s safe.
Never take a bird or eggs from one found dead or looking crook.
Cook it right through. No blood.
Wash hands and knife, before and after.
Kids and dogs
Keep them well back from any dead bird. A dog will go straight for it.
Crook after being near birds?
See your clinic if you get crook within 10 days of being near sick or dead birds. Make sure you tell them about the birds, as well as your symptoms.
Fever. Cold or flu. Red sore eyes.
Muttonbirds wash up every year.
True, and that’s not bird flu. Birds dying outside that pattern is.
Not sure? Ring anyway.
Contact
For any inquiries or assistance, please contact the Communicable Diseases team, here: bbvsti@naccho.org.au.
