Bird flu in NSW: what regional businesses and visitors need to know

H5 bird flu has been detected in wild birds in NSW, prompting authorities to strengthen surveillance, wildlife protection and preparedness. For tourism operators, small businesses and regional communities, the message is clear: the risk to people remains low, but authorities want everyone to know what to look for and what to do if they encounter sick or dead wildlife.

NSW has now recorded 22 events of H5 bird flu, with most detections on the South Coast and involving greater crested terns. There are no recorded detections in commercial poultry flocks, captive birds or livestock in NSW and the risk to human health remains low.

The latest detections come as governments prepare for further spread of H5 bird flu among wild birds.

At a NSW Government briefing for the tourism and small business sectors on 3 September, officials outlined what the disease could mean for wildlife, visitor destinations and businesses operating in and around natural areas. The briefing says further spread in wild birds across Australia is anticipated and is being closely monitored.

H5 bird flu – high pathogenicity H5N1 avian influenza – primarily affects birds, although some mammals can also become infected. It spreads mainly through direct contact with infected animals, their droppings or bodily fluids and can spread indirectly through contaminated surfaces, equipment, vehicles, water or dust.

Wildlife and visitor destinations in the spotlight

Authorities are paying particular attention to beaches, lakes, rivers and estuaries, wetlands, parks and public spaces, jetties and boat ramps, walking trails, wildlife viewing areas, picnic areas and offshore fishing locations – places where people and wildlife frequently overlap.

NSW’s wildlife risk assessment identifies little penguins, seabirds, shorebirds and waders, culturally significant species including black swans, birds of prey such as white-bellied sea-eagles, species endemic to Lord Howe Island and Australian and New Zealand fur seals among those of greatest concern. The assessment considers potential population impacts, whether species could act as vectors for H5N1 and the level of community concern.

The NSW Government has also developed preparedness plans for 34 priority sites across the state. They include Lord Howe Island, the Hunter Estuary, Macquarie Marshes, Five Islands at Wollongong, Menindee Lakes, Sydney Olympic Park, Woy Woy, Botany Bay and Manly’s little penguin colony. The plans guide preparedness, surveillance and response activities in places that support large numbers of waterbirds, seabirds, shorebirds and other vulnerable species.

What businesses can do

For tourism businesses and others operating around natural areas, the practical advice starts with biosecurity.

The NSW Government recommends a “come clean, go clean” approach: clean footwear, clothing and equipment after visiting beaches, wetlands, parks, farms or reserves.

Businesses and visitors should also secure bins and food waste so they do not attract wildlife, avoid contact between wild birds and domestic animals, refrain from feeding wildlife and keep children and pets away from wild animals. Dogs should stay on leads and cats should be contained where possible.

Good communication also forms part of the response.

The briefing advises tourism operators to provide accurate and balanced information, focus on practical safety advice, reinforce that the risk to people remains low and direct visitors to official sources for updates.

For visitors, the advice is similarly straightforward: do not touch wildlife or attempt to move sick or dead animals, observe wildlife from a distance and report unusual sickness or deaths.

NSW has produced fact sheets, posters and biosecurity signage that businesses, councils and community organisations can download, print and share online or at community events.

Avoid. Record. Report.

Authorities have distilled the public advice into three words: Avoid. Record. Report.

If you see a sick or dead bird or other wildlife, avoid contact and keep children and pets away.

Record what you see, including the date, time, location, species and number of animals. Take photographs or video if you can do so safely.

Then report it to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or through the online reporting form.

After receiving a report, the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development assesses factors including the species, number of birds affected, location and disease risk. Not every report leads to an investigation, collection or testing.

What happens if there is a detection?

A wildlife detection does not automatically mean a destination will close.

DPIRD can close areas if necessary, but the 3 September briefing says any restrictions would depend on the risk, taking into account factors including the species, strain, location, activities occurring and number of people involved.

If authorities do close an area, this would generally be for a short period to allow activities such as carcass management. Authorities could also require measures such as boot washing or restrict domestic animals from particular areas. Any measures must be proportionate to the risk, including the potential impact on the community.

At wildlife sites, authorities may temporarily manage or restrict access in consultation with land managers. Depending on the circumstances, they may leave dead wildlife in place, bury it at the site or collect and remove it, choosing the option that presents the lowest risk.

Authorities may also limit disturbance to affected wildlife and monitor populations to inform recovery. The NSW response does not support lethal control of healthy wildlife, broadscale environmental use of disinfectants, forced dispersal of wildlife or destruction of habitat.

Preparing for a longer-term wildlife risk

The NSW briefing says H5N1 cannot be eradicated from wildlife and is expected to become established, meaning authorities are preparing to manage it as an ongoing risk to wildlife populations.

Impacts are expected to concentrate around estuaries, wetlands, coastlines and islands used by at-risk species. Events may remain isolated or involve mass mortality at multiple locations, while seasonal recurrence or waves of infection are also possible.

NSW has also started a targeted vaccination program for vulnerable bird species.

The program includes captive populations and wild populations, including little penguins in Manly and at Barunguba Montague Island. Taronga has begun vaccinating selected captive birds and the NSW Government is working with Taronga to vaccinate and monitor wild little penguins at Manly Point.

Vaccination is not a broadscale solution. It cannot be used across wild populations at scale and does not replace surveillance, biosecurity or site management. Authorities assess species for vaccination case by case, considering conservation value, disease risk, animal welfare and feasibility.

For regional businesses and communities, the immediate advice remains simple: stay informed, maintain good biosecurity and report unusual illness or deaths in birds and other wildlife quickly.

The Australian Government maintains national information on H5 bird flu, while NSW provides state-specific advice, wildlife preparedness plans and resources for businesses and communities. The Australian Government says the risk to human health remains low and there have been no detections in poultry or the wider agriculture industry.