Avian influenza, also known as bird flu, is an infectious viral disease caused by strains of the Influenza A virus. It can affect all kinds of birds from poultry to migratory shorebirds, seabirds and waterfowl. It can be transmitted to humans, with serious or fatal illness possible.
There have been recent cases of bird flu detected in several parts of Western Australia (WA).
Who is most at risk?
Most human infections are linked to direct or indirect contact with infected wild birds, poultry or other animals, whether alive or dead, or through exposure to contaminated environments. Transmission between people is possible but extremely rare.
Infection occurs when viral particles from an infected bird’s saliva, mucus or faeces enter a person’s eyes, nose or mouth or are inhaled. This may occur when dust becomes airborne during tasks such as sweeping an aviary or through contact with contaminated bedding, equipment or animal enclosures.
People most at risk of exposure can include:
- parks and wildlife workers including volunteers
- poultry production and processing workers
- veterinary staff
- animal refuge and rehabilitation workers including volunteers
- groundkeepers
- council workers
- bird breeders and/or bird display workers
- researchers and laboratory workers who handle bird specimens
- people who hunt and handle or butcher wild birds.
What are the symptoms in infected people?
Bird flu often causes mild or no symptoms in humans. When present, symptoms can appear between 2 and 10 days after exposure and may be similar to seasonal influenza such as fever, sore throat, cough and nasal congestion. Additional symptoms may include breathing difficulties, headache, muscle pain, gastrointestinal symptoms (diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting) and conjunctivitis. A small proportion of people may become severely ill and need medical treatment, and bird flu can be fatal.
How to prevent infection and transmission?
Wherever possible, minimise the risk of infection by eliminating any direct physical contact with animals or any potential sources of contamination. Do not touch sick or dead birds.
Workers who may be exposed should be provided with clear information about the infection along with training in safe work procedures, symptom recognition and medical treatment if needed.
Potentially infectious material must be disposed of in a safe and hygienic manner including incineration. Livestock should be protected through strong biosecurity measures including isolating and treating any sick animals.
Work areas including floors, benches and equipment should be regularly cleaned and disinfected. Suitable facilities for handwashing, cleaning and laundering contaminated clothing are essential to reduce the risk of transmission.
Information about workplace risks, infection prevention and control procedures such as good hygiene and cleaning practices should be clearly displayed and workers must be provided with appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as overalls, gloves, masks, waterproof boots, goggles and aprons.
Here are more ways to stay safe at work:
- wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before eating, drinking or smoking and after handling birds, droppings or any contaminated equipment
- use hand sanitiser with at least 60% alcohol followed by washing hands with soap and water as soon as possible
- cover any cuts or abrasions with clean, dry bandages
- avoid eating, drinking or smoking in areas where birds or their droppings are present
- wear clean clothes and footwear when working around birds.
What to do if you suspect bird flu
If you suspect bird flu in your workplace, the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) advises contacting your vet, your nearest DPIRD field vet or phone the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) hotline on 1800 675 888. Select the WA option to report the following:
- more than 5 sick or dead wild birds
- unusual disease signs or mass deaths in wildlife including marine mammals
- 5 or more deaths in backyard poultry
- symptoms in commercial poultry (chicken, turkey or game) including:
- laying hens with respiratory or nervous signs, a drop in egg production, shell deformities or unexpected mortalities
- broilers (younger chickens) with increased mortalities, unusual respiratory signs or nervous signs.
Control exposure risks
Under the Work Health and Safety Act 2020 (WHS Act), employers or persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBU) must ensure the health and safety of workers and others at the workplace.
To manage the risk of exposure to diseases in the workplace, a PCBU must apply a risk management approach to eliminate and/or minimise the risks in the workplace so far as is reasonably practicable.
To manage the risk of exposure to diseases in the workplace, a PCBU must:
- apply a risk management approach to eliminate and/or minimise the risks in the workplace so far as is reasonably practicable
- consult with workers and/or their health and safety representatives to help manage these risks.
In some cases, elimination might not be reasonably practicable. Where this occurs, you must minimise the risk as far as reasonably practicable by implementing control measures.
Workers must also be provided with information about the risks, symptoms (in animals and people) and the medical treatment available to them should they become infected.
PCBUs in high‑risk industries, occupations and workplaces should stay up to date with advice from industry bodies, animal health authorities and public health agencies and be aware of any biosecurity measures or recommendations relevant to their operations. They must also comply with any applicable biosecurity requirements such as control or emergency orders issued to prevent or respond to an outbreak and implement appropriate health and safety control measures under the WHS Act to manage the risk of avian influenza in the workplace.
Workers and others at the workplace must also take reasonable care for their own health and safety and not adversely affect other persons' health and safety. This includes complying with reasonable instructions, policies and procedures in relation to health and safety.
Notify incidents
Should a worker contract bird flu in the course of work involving handling or contact with birds, poultry, animal carcasses or animal waste products, the PCBU must notify WorkSafe of any work-related infection.
For more information, see notification of serious injury or illness.