Aussies warned ‘do not touch’ amid rising bird flu cases and human transmission fears

Australian health officials have reiterated warnings against touching sick or dead animals after the country's first mass mortality event linked to bird flu, as the H5 strain's national case tally continues to rise. A large group of dead and sick greater crested terns at Baudin Rocks in South Australia tested positive for the virus, alongside six further confirmed cases in Victoria, bringing Australia's total to 78. While human infection remains rare, experts warn poultry workers and wildlife carers face the greatest risk as the outbreak worsens, with implications for public health and the poultry industry.

Associate Professor Lara Herrero, an infectious diseases and virology specialist, explained that H5 spreads similarly to human flu, through airborne droplets and contact with bodily fluids from infected birds, with poultry workers most exposed. Although no cases have yet been found in Australia's poultry industry, global losses are estimated at 140 million birds, and in the US some dairy farmers were infected via contaminated milk. Herrero said wildlife carers and vets should wear PPE similar to COVID-19 precautions, that human symptoms tend to be more severe than typical flu, and that dog owners should keep pets away from sick birds on beaches. Suspected cases should be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.