Information for Recreational Shooters
Frequently Asked Questions
Published article for duck shooters
US research finds bird flu in duck shooter and wildlife professionals
What recreational shooters need to know!
Disease investigation in dead ducks
Photo courtesy of Taronga Zoo
What is avian influenza or bird flu?
Avian influenza (AI) is a highly contagious viral infection of birds. It is also known as 'bird flu'. Some avian influenza viruses, called ‘highly pathogenic avian influenza’ (HPAI) viruses, can cause sudden, high mortality (up to 100 per cent) in domestic fowl (chickens) and turkeys.
The H5N1 strain of the virus has spread from Asia to the Middle East, Eastern Europe and Africa, and is of high concern to Australia.
What species of birds are susceptible to the virus?
Avian influenza can infect a wide range of birds including, ducks, geese, ibis, swans, chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridges, quail, pigeons, guinea fowl and ostriches.
How do I know if a bird has avian influenza?
The disease can be recognised in birds such as chickens. Clinical signs are variable but commonly they include a sudden drop in egg production, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and death. The signs vary depending on the strain of the virus and the age and species of the birds infected.
Many species of wild birds, especially waterfowl, carry the virus but generally show no signs of disease. Australia does not have migratory waterfowl with known flyways. The risk of waterfowl catching AI is posed when they mingle with shore birds and waders that come to Australia from Asia.
How does it effect humans?
H5N1 can infect humans who come in very close contact with infected birds or their excrement. People do not get infected with AI through eating cooked chicken meat and eggs. It is important to know that freezing poultry does not kill the virus. The virus can survive in bird excrement for over a month and can survive in water for many days, if not weeks, depending on temperature.
Clinical signs and symptoms of AI in humans include fever, sore throat, respiratory distress, pneumonia and in some cases death.
Does Australia have avian influenza?
Australia is currently free of avian influenza. There have been five cases of AI in commercial poultry previously in Australia. All were the H7 subtype of the virus which can be a fatal disease to chickens. All five cases were successfully contained and eradicated with the last case being in 1997 at Tamworth in NSW. There were no known cases of human infection.
One possible scenario of AI coming to Australia is through migratory birds. One of Australia’s best defences is for recreational shooters, bush walkers and others such as poultry owners to be vigilant and report any unusual signs in birds immediately.
People who own domestic or commercial birds must also play their part by maintaining strict biosecurity measures - this includes keeping wild birds away from feed and water supplies as well as adopting good hygiene such as disinfection.
What should I do if I see something unusual in wild birds?
If you come across a large number of dead birds or any other circumstances that look unusual , you should not handle the birds without the proper personal protection equipment. You should then take immediate action. Telephone the national Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888 . Alternatively, contact the Department of Primary Industries or Agriculture in your state or territory or tell your local veterinarian.
Remember, a quick response to a disease outbreak is our best chance of containing and eradicating it. No matter how insignificant your find is, be safe rather than sorry and report it!
Are there precautions I can take to protect myself from being infected?
Yes. It is recommended that if handling wild birds, you practise good hygiene. If you suspect a bird is diseased it is important to use gloves, a face mask and also to disinfect your hands, clothing and any equipment that has come into contact.
There is a range of comprehensive personal protection equipment information on the Department of Health and Ageing (DoHA) website.
Want to more information?
The Department of Primary Industries or Agriculture in your state or territory will be able to provide you with information that is relevant to your region.
Other general avian influenza information can be found back on the Avian Influenza Home Page.
Ducks Unlimited - Wildlife Disease Protection
Duck shooters have a significant role in recognising bird flu and reporting it!
Avian Influenza or bird flu is one of the biggest agricultural and human health threats Australia faces. As recently seen throughout Asia, India and Eastern Europe, the H5N1 strain of the disease is of major concern.
One possible scenario of avian influenza (AI) H5N1 coming into Australia is through migratory birds. In order to mount an effective Australian response, ongoing vigilance and early reporting of signs of the disease is crucial. The immediate reporting of anything unusual such as large numbers of dead birds will ensure authorities can contain and eradicate the disease as quickly as possible.
Duck shooters, along with others, have a significant role in reporting the disease. The sooner veterinarians and authorities can contain a disease, the better chance industries such as the chicken meat and egg industries, have of keeping the disease away from their birds and ultimately, retaining their markets and livelihood. Combined, the chicken and egg industries are worth $1.5 billion annually to the Australian economy.
Avian influenza can infect a wide range of birds including ducks, geese, ibis, swans, chickens, turkeys, pheasants, partridges, quail, pigeons, guinea fowl and ostriches. Signs of the disease vary but commonly include a sudden drop in egg production, loss of appetite, diarrhoea and death. The signs vary depending on the strain of the virus and the age and species of the birds infected.
Many species of wild birds, especially waterfowl, carry the virus but generally show no signs of disease. Australia does not have migratory waterfowl with known flyways. The risk of waterfowl catching AI is posed when they mingle with shore birds and waders that come to Australia from Asia.
There have been five cases of bird flu in commercial poultry previously in Australia. All were the H7 subtype of the virus which can be a fatal disease to chickens. All five cases were successfully contained and eradicated with the last case being in 1997 at Tamworth in NSW. There were no known cases of human infection.
H5N1 can infect humans who come in close contact with infected birds or their excrement so it is important when handling and dressing birds that thorough hygiene practices are adopted. If you suspect a bird is diseased it is important to use gloves, a face mask and also to disinfect your hands, clothing and any equipment that has come into contact.
It should also be noted that proper cooking of poultry will kill the disease but freezing will not. The disease can survive in water for many days, if not weeks, depending on temperature.
Despite the spread of AI from Asia to Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Australia is well prepared to respond to an outbreak. The Australian Government has been aware of this strain of the disease since its emergence in 1997 and again when it took hold in many Asian countries in 2003. Wild bird surveillance programs are also in place.
Well developed and tested plans exist to respond to both animal and plant disease emergencies. In November 2005, a national simulation took place to test both health and agriculture’s integrated response capabilities to deal with an outbreak in Australia. Exercise Eleusis ’05 involved industry, health and agriculture agencies with around 1,000 people participating throughout the country. The results of such exercises allow both industry and the government to make improvements to their plans and response arrangements especially where there is new technology available.
AQIS officers at airports and international mail centres have been on high alert for bird and poultry products since the first, isolated cases of avian influenza were reported in Asia in late 2003.
Birds, poultry meat and poultry products (including eggs, egg products, feathers, and vaccines) from overseas can carry avian influenza. Poultry meat and products are not allowed into Australia and are seized and destroyed by AQIS. All incoming international mail is also subject to quarantine intervention. Additionally, incoming international passengers baggage may be x-rayed, inspected or checked by detector dogs for quarantine risk items.
A wide variety of bird flu information is available to the public. The Australian Government website www.daff.gov.au/birdflu offers comprehensive information that has been written by Australian veterinarians. Additionally, the department of primary industries in your state or territory can be contacted for information specific to your region.
It cannot be stressed enough the importance of being alert to the signs of AI while out in the field. If you do come across something that looks even slightly unusual in bird populations, please report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Alternatively, report it to your local veterinarian or department of primary industries immediately!
Avian Influenza infection in duck hunter and wildlife professionals
August 2006
Serologic (testing of blood) evidence has found avian influenza infection in one duck hunter and two wildlife professionals with extensive histories of wild waterfowl and game bird exposure.
Two laboratory methods showed evidence of past infection with influenza A/H11N9, a less common virus strain in wild ducks, in the three people.
See the full report on the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention website.