Avian influenza in humans (bird flu)
Fact sheet2 - Health conditions directory
Avian influenza (bird flu) is caused by types of influenza A viruses, similar to the virus that causes flu in humans. Avian influenza viruses (AIV) mainly infect birds. AIV are described as high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) or low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) depending on the severity of disease in poultry.
In Australia, LPAI viruses are commonly found in wild aquatic birds, usually without causing apparent signs of disease. Occasionally, LPAI strains evolve into HPAI strains when they spread among poultry and can cause severe disease and death of poultry.
The emergence of the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain overseas (specifically clade 2.3.4.4.b) has led to extensive losses of poultry and wild birds and mammals, particularly marine mammals. It has also been reported in dairy cattle, alpacas and goats.
This strain has spread rapidly between continents associated with the movement of wild birds. Australia remains the only continent free from H5N1 HPAI.
Rarely, humans can be infected with avian influenza, usually following close contact with infected birds.
Avian influenza is monitored by animal and human health authorities.
Public health management guidelines
Notification
Attending medical practitioners/medical superintendents (or delegates)
Pathology laboratories
- Notification criteria for pathology laboratories5 (PDF, 55kB)
Notification resources
- List of all Pathological, clinical and provisional diagnosis notifiable conditions6
- List of Public Health Unit7 contacts
- Notifiable conditions report form for Queensland doctors/clinicians (PHA S70) or person in charge of a Hospital (PHA S71)8 (PDF, 77kB) - if faxing notification, follow up by phone.
Enhanced surveillance for public health units
- Case report form9 (PDF, 388kB) - used by public health units to collect and manage more detailed information for enhanced case surveillance.
Resources for health professionals
- World Organization for Animal Health information system – Latest avian influenza10 outbreak information10
- World Health Organization Global Influenza Programme Human-Animal interface - Risk assessment summaries and11 situation reports for influenza at the human-animal interface11
- Results of Influenza Risk Assessment Tool | Pandemic Flu | CDC12 - Support for the risk assessment of avian influenza viruses with pandemic potential
- High pathogenicity avian influenza information - H5N1 global outbreak (wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au)13