Hume City Council is encouraging residents to be aware of H5 bird flu following an increase in detections in wild birds across Victoria.
H5 bird flu has been detected in wild birds along Victoria's south-west coast, from the South Australian border at Nelson through to east of Warrnambool and Apollo Bay, as well as in Clyde in Melbourne's south-east.
While there are currently no reported cases in Hume, community reports play an important role in supporting Victoria's animal disease surveillance system and helping authorities respond quickly to potential biosecurity threats.
The risk to people in Victoria is low, and bird flu is not considered a food safety risk when chicken meat and eggs are handled and cooked correctly.
Residents are encouraged to follow three simple steps if they encounter sick or dead birds or wildlife:
avoid contact with sick or dead birds, wildlife or their environment
record what you see and where you saw it.
report it to the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) using the online form or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Injured wildlife may still require rescue and care. However, where disease is suspected, trained responders are best equipped to assess the situation safely and appropriately.
Residents can view the latest wildlife case reports and H5 bird flu detections through Agriculture Victoria's interactive map and find more information on Agriculture Victoria's website.
