The information provided below is general in nature only. You are advised to seek your own veterinary advice in the case of any disease or virus outbreaks. 

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| Notifiable Diseases | Avian Flu |

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Notifiable Diseases

Early recognition and reporting of serious and exotic diseases is one of the major factors influencing the chance of controlling the disease and halting its spread. Here is the list of notifiable diseases for each State:

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/pests-diseases-weeds/animal/notifiable

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Avian flu (H5N1) 

1. What is bird flu?

• Understanding H5 Bird Flu Webinar. Stock Sense. Victorian Farmers Federation 

2. Symptoms

Common Signs in Flocks

• Sudden Death: High and rapid mortality rate in the flock, often with no prior signs.
• Physical Changes: Swollen head, eyelids, comb, and wattles, alongside a purple or blue discoloration (cyanosis).
• Production Drops: A sudden, sharp decrease or total stop in egg production, including soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
• Behavior & Movement: Extreme lethargy, lack of appetite or thirst, and a ruffled feather appearance.

Respiratory and Nervous Symptoms

• Respiratory: Gasping for air, nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing.
• Neurological: Tremors, lack of coordination, a twisted or unusual head/neck posture, and an inability to stand or walk.Digestive: Watery or green-tinted diarrhoea

3. Confirmed location trackers/updates

• Australian Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Avian Influenza updates.  https://www.agriculture.gov.au/campaigns/birdflu 
• Agriculture Victoria. H5N1 Bird flu
• NSW Government. H5N1 Updates
• South Australia Dept of Primary Industry and Regions. H5 Bird Flu Testing Updates
• Biosecurity Tasmania. H5 Bird Flu
• Western Australia Dept of Primary Industries and Regional Development Weekly Bird Flu Update
• Public interest GitHub tracker. Avian flu tracker. 

4. Biosecurity

• Animal Health Australia. Farm Biosecurity - Chickens.
• Dept of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture. National Farm Biosecurity Manual: Poultry Production 
• Dept of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture.  National Water Biosecurity Manual: Poultry Production  

5. Risk assessments

• Risk assessment of H5 bird flu in Australian dairy cattle and other livestock - Australian Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
• Risk assessment for native species. Australian Dept of Climate Change, Energy, The Environment, and Water

6. Information sheets

Information sheets for Avian flu (Australian Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry): 

• Fact sheet
• Posters
• Videos
• Postcards
• Social media content
• First Nations resources
• Additional resources