04/07/2024
Important PSA for bird owners and bird lovers
Avian influenza, aka bird flu, has been identified in two commercial poultry farms within the Greater Sydney region recently. 😷 Avian influenza mainly spreads amongst wild birds, causing a range of signs from mild sickness to death. However, viral mutations can sometimes lead to serious disease affecting pet birds (particularly poultry, such as chickens and quails), wildlife, and even humans.
To stop spread of avian influenza amongst our feather friends, and reduce risk of transmission to their human-guardians, the NSW government has implemented a movement restriction order around the areas near these outbreaks. To find out if you are affected, please see:
https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/poultry-and-birds/health-disease/avian-influenza
🛑 If you live in any of these areas, you may be able to move your birds to seek veterinary care, but it is crucial to call your bird-savvy vet first for advice to make sure this is the right thing to do. 🛑
How to keep your pet bird(s) safe:
• Keep them indoors so they cannot contact any wild birds
• Minimize your interaction with (eg feeding) wild birds
• Make sure their food and water cannot be accessed by wild birds
• Minimize visitors from outside your home to your bird(s)
• Avoid handling other birds, or visiting pet stores or shows where other birds would be present
• Monitor your bird(s) closely for any signs of illness.
Please call the Emergency Animal Disease hotline on 1800 675 888 or your local district veterinarian on 1300 795 299 if you think your bird has avian influenza.
Regardless of where you live, if your bird needs to see an avian vet, it is very important to call your vet hospital first to know what protective measures they have in place so that you, your feather friend, and other people’s feathered friends can be kept safe and sound.
