NSW Department of Primary Industries

Avian influenza

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Current situation

What are the NSW emergency order requirements?

  • Implementation of an avian Influenza (AI) emergency zone around the NSW detection.
  • Implementation of an emergency zone in the NSW region close to the ACT detection.
  • Movement restrictions of all avian influenza susceptible birds into and out of the emergency zones.
  • All avian influenza susceptible birds within the emergency zones to be housed to prevent contact with wild birds.

The emergency order will remain in place for a period of six months. NSW DPI will continue to engage with industry around these biosecurity measures and how to comply.

Victoria

Avian Influenza (H7N3 and H7N9) has been detected at a number of poultry farms since May 2024.

Details of the response, including movement controls to prevent the spread of avian Influenza can be found on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Map of NSW emergency zones

View larger map

What is avian influenza (AI)?

Avian influenza (AI) is a highly contagious viral disease primarily affecting avian species.

AI can infect a wide range of birds including chickens, turkeys, quails, guinea fowl, partridges, pheasants, emus, ostriches, and a large number of aviary and wild birds, especially waterfowl such as ducks, geese and swans.

What does avian influenza look like?

Signs of avian influenza (AI) infection in domestic poultry and birds can be variable from no obvious signs to sudden death. Affected birds can display any of the following signs:

  • Sudden death or elevated flock mortality
  • Decreased feed and/or water consumption
  • Reduction in egg production or increased number of misshapen or shell-less eggs
  • Watery eyes
  • Sinusitis
  • Darkening of the comb, wattles or legs (Fig 1a and b)
  • Swelling of the head, face, upper neck and feet (Fig 1a and b)
  • Ruffled feathers
  • Loss of appetite
  • Diarrhoea
  • Neurological signs.

Avian Influenza bird with swollen head AI swollen and darkened legs and feet

Figure 1a – Bird with a swollen head, combs and wattles, noting the darkened combs and wattles;

Figure 1b - Swollen and darkened legs and feet. Image credit: Dr D Swayne, USDA, Iowa State University Department of Veterinary Pathology, Center for Food Security and Public Health (CFSPH), Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), and Plum Island Animal Disease Center (PIADC).

What should I do if I suspect avian influenza?

Avian Influenza (AI) is a nationally notifiable disease which means if you suspect an animal is showing signs of the disease, you must report it.

You can notify by phoning:

If suspect live birds or carcasses must be handled, precautions should be taken such as wearing personal protective equipment, including a facemask, eye protection, gloves, and coveralls. If a bird carcass needs to be moved (e.g., for submission for testing, or disposal), an inverted bag should be used to grasp the carcass before placing it in a secure bag.

More information

www.dpi.nsw.gov.au