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

By ANDREW STAFFORD FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: 23:44, 3 August 2026 | Updated: 23:58, 3 August 2026 The dangers of approaching sick or dead animals during a bird flu outbreak have been reinforced after confirmation of the nation's first mass mortality event. The deadly H5 strain's national tally continues to climb after a large group of dead and sick greater crested terns at Baudin Rocks, South Australia, tested positive for the virus. Another six were confirmed in Victoria, bumping the total number of positive cases in Australia to 78. Associate Professor Lara Herrero, a specialist in infectious diseases and virology, said that while H5 transmission to humans was rare, poultry industry workers and wildlife carers were most vulnerable as the outbreak worsened. She said H5 spread in a similar way to human flu transmission, through close contact with airborne droplets and the bodily fluids from infected birds. 'It's through contact with that, and then touching your face and getting it within your respiratory system, through your nose and your mouth,' she told AAP. 'The most common way a human is going to get this is from infected poultry, so the highest risk in that regard is poultry workers.' While bird flu cases have not yet been detected in the Australian poultry industry, global losses have been estimated at 140 million birds. Australians have been warned not to approach sick or dead animals during the bird flu outbreak (file image)  Lara Herrero says poultry industry workers and wildlife carers are most vulnerable Prof Herrero said that while H5 transmission to livestock is very rare, there have been cases in the United States where dairy farmers became infected as the virus entered the milk of infected cows.  Wildlife carers and veterinarians are also at higher risk and must wear personal protective equipment, she said.  'It'll look similar to during COVID, to be honest,' she said. 'You want your N95 masks, you want gloves, you want to avoid any contact with infected airborne droplets, any fluid or anything that can be transmitted into your respiratory system.' Human deaths were extremely rare, with the virus producing symptoms similar to flu, she said. However, she said those symptoms could be more severe. 'It's usually more extreme in that the symptoms are worse - higher fevers, sore throat, bigger headaches,' she said. There is also a stronger link to conjunctival and gastrointestinal symptoms.  Prof Herrero also warned people to keep their dogs strictly under control on beaches to prevent them from investigating or attacking sick birds.  'If you have a dog that has been in close contact with a sick bird, I would quarantine your dog,' she said. People are advised not to approach or touch any sick birds they find. Suspected cases should be reported to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, with the date, time and location recorded.