🔥 Trending Bird Flu Outbreak in NSW: What You Need to Know

Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is caused by influenza A viruses that primarily affect birds ¹. While human infection is rare, the virus can sometimes spread to humans and other animals ¹.

Current Situation of Bird Flu in Australia (as of 2026-08-07)

As of August 7, 2026, Australia has recorded 175 confirmed detections of the serious H5 bird flu strain in wild birds across various states ⁵.

• South Australia (SA): 119 detections ⁵
• Victoria (VIC): 43 detections ⁵
• Western Australia (WA): 10 detections ⁵
• New South Wales (NSW): 2 detections ⁵
• Queensland (QLD): 1 detection ⁵

New South Wales is actively responding to these two confirmed detections of the H5 bird flu ¹⁰.

How Bird Flu Spreads

Infected animals, including birds, shed the virus through secretions, faeces, and other body fluids, as well as into the air ³. The virus can spread through:

• Direct contact: With infected birds or their droppings ⁴.
• Contaminated environments: Surfaces, feed, water, or equipment that have been in contact with infected birds ⁴.
• Movement of animals and people: Migratory birds, marine mammal movements, and movements of contaminated people, equipment, and vehicles can also contribute to the spread of the H5 bird flu ⁹.

Symptoms in Birds

Birds infected with avian influenza may exhibit several symptoms, including ²:

• Lethargy
• Respiratory signs (e.g., watery eyes, difficulty breathing)
• Signs of paralysis
• Difficulty walking

Symptoms in Humans

While human infection is rare, symptoms typically appear 3 to 5 days after exposure, though this can range from 1 to 10 days ³. Common symptoms in humans include ⁶⁷:

• Fever
• Cough
• Tiredness
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Shortness of breath
• Runny nose
• Headache
• Diarrhoea
• Conjunctivitis (pink eye) ⁶

Less common symptoms may include nausea and vomiting ⁷. In rare severe cases, bird flu can lead to serious complications such as pneumonia, neurological changes (e.g., seizures), encephalitis, sepsis, and multi-organ failure ⁷.

Risks in New South Wales (NSW)

The current risk of bird flu to people in Australia, including NSW, is considered low ⁹. However, certain groups are at a higher risk of infection ⁴:

• Individuals who work with commercial poultry (chicken or turkey) and/or are in close contact with sick birds that may be infected with avian influenza.
• Individuals who work with and/or are in close contact with other animal species (e.g., mammals) that can be infected with avian influenza, particularly if these animals are unwell.
• Individuals in close contact with infected people, although human-to-human transmission is generally limited.

Previous outbreaks of less severe avian influenza subtypes (e.g., H7) between 2023 and 2025 in poultry farms across Victoria, NSW, and the Australian Capital Territory resulted in a small number of mild infections in people who had close contact with sick birds ⁸.

NSW Health recommends visiting the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development website for more detailed information on bird flu ¹.