Workplace health and safety
Human infection with bird flu is rare. Bird flu does not spread easily between animals and people, and no human cases of this strain have been reported in Australia.
The best way to protect yourself is to avoid contact with sick or dead birds and wildlife. Infected animals can shed and spread the virus through secretions, faeces, other body fluids and airborne particles.
Workers may encounter sick or dead birds and other wildlife while carrying out routine duties in parks, reserves, roadsides, public spaces and other outdoor environments.
Everyone has a role in identifying and reporting unusual dead birds and animals deaths.
If you see multiple sick or dead birds or animals:
- do not touch them
- keep away from the area
- record what you observe
- report it as soon as possible.
Workers at risk
People at highest risk of getting avian influenza are those who:
- work with commercial poultry (chicken or turkey) and/or are in close contact with sick birds that may be infected with avian influenza
- work with animal species that can be infected with avian influenza, particularly unwell mammals
- have close contact with a person infected with avian influenza
- work with commercial poultry, such as chickens or turkeys.
This may include:
- parks and wildlife workers including volunteers
- veterinarians
- council and local government workers
- groundkeepers
- bird breeders and/or bird display workers
- researchers and laboratory workers who handle bird specimens
- poultry farm workers
- agriculture workers
- workers who perform work tasks involving animals and waste
- workers involved in the butchering and handling of animal carcasses.
Work health
Under work health and safety (WHS) laws, persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that workers and other people are not exposed to health and safety risks in the workplace.
This includes workers, contractors, volunteers, visitors and customers.
To manage the risk of exposure to H5 bird flu in the workplace you must:
- understand H5 bird flu and the risks
- stay up to date with the latest information and advice
- follow cleaning and decontamination procedures
- receive training on workplace control measures
- wear personal protective equipment (PPE).
There is no specific vaccine for avian influenza for humans although the seasonal influenza (flu) vaccine can help prevent co-infection with multiple influenza strains. Getting an annual flu vaccination is recommended.
Read more about H5 bird flu and human health.
Protect yourself with personal protective equipment (PPE)
If you find a dead bird or other animals while carrying out your work duties, avoid touching or moving it and keep members of the public away from the area. Report it online or to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 and follow any advice provided.
If advised that the carcass does not need to be collected or tested, and you need to move or dispose of it, protect yourself by wearing:
- waterproof disposable gloves
- P2/N95 respirator or surgical mask
- eye protection, such as safety goggles
- long-sleeved clothing
- enclosed shoes
- hat or hair cover.
If possible, use a shovel or tongs if you have to remove a carcass. After handling, remove PPE carefully and wash hands thoroughly. Do not touch your face until your PPE has been removed and your hands have been cleaned.
For more information, watch putting on PPE for H5 bird flu and taking off PPE for H5 bird flu.
Follow good hygiene practices
Good hygiene practices help reduce the risk of disease transmission:
- Encourage frequent hand hygiene in your workplace - wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand sanitiser before and after contact with birds, other animals, their carcasses or potentially contaminated objects.
- Cover open wounds or broken skin with a water-resistant dressing.
- Avoid touching the nose, eyes and mouth with hands during work with birds and other animals.
- Prohibit eating and drinking in high-risk work areas including areas where birds and other animals are housed.
- Prohibit personal items in potentially contaminated areas.
Read more in the H5 bird flu workers fact sheet PDF (2.2 MB).