Bird Flu has well and truly arrived in South Australia, with 163 cases recorded since the H5 bird flu was first detected on June 24.
As of yet, all detections have been found in wild birds, with no detections in poultry or other livestock. However, the State Government and RSPCA SA have issued new advice for people with cats, dogs, pet birds and backyard poultry.
While infectious cats and dogs have been reported overseas, authorities say there are simple steps to keeping your pets safe, including:
- Keeping your dogs and puppies on a lead while walking, and keep them away from birds, especially in places that wild birds gather including beaches, wetlands, and coastal habitats.
- Cats should be safely contained indoors or in an enclosure outside without contact to wild birds.
- Bring your pets’ food and water bowls inside so that wild birds cannot access them.
- Prevent pets from coming into contact with sick or dead wildlife.
- If you have backyard poultry including chickens, ducks, turkeys and other pet birds, keep their feed and water undercover
- Regularly clean poultry’s feeding and nesting areas
- Prevent wild birds from accessing pet poultry’s ponds or standing water
- Keep different poultry species separated where possible
“We know cats that are left to roam prey on wildlife and now more than ever it’s important to keep them indoors, not only for the protection of our native species but for their protection as well,” Environment Minister Emily Bourke said.
Although infection in companion animals like cats and dogs is uncommon, and generally requires direct contact with poultry and their waste, symptoms of bird flu may include a loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, breathing difficulties, coughing or sneezing, eye or nasal discharge, and poor coordination or tremors.
If you recognise any of these symptoms in your pet you should take them to the vet as soon as possible – and let your vet know if they have had any contact with wild birds.
“RSPCA South Australia is working closely with government and animal health authorities and urges anyone who encounters sick or dead birds to avoid contact and report them immediately,” RSPCA CEO Marcus Gehrig said.
More than $8 million has been committed by the South Australian and Australian governments since 2022 towards H5 bird flu preparedness, including specialist equipment, a mobile laboratory and decontamination trailers.
A further $3.5 million in Australian Government funding is supporting bird flu preparedness and wildlife resilience projects across South Australia.
Anyone who finds sick or dead birds or other wildlife should avoid touching them, record what they have seen and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
The latest South Australian bird flu information and advice is available here.
