Bird Flu has been detected in Seals. Here’s how you can help protect your pets.
Sadly, a long-nosed fur seal found at Beachport has tested positive for H5 Bird Flu, the first confirmed detection in a mammal in Australia.
It’s an important reminder that Bird Flu doesn’t only affect birds. Other animals can be susceptible too, including the pets we love. There have been no confirmed cases in dogs or cats in Australia yet, but overseas outbreaks have shown they can become infected, usually after contact with sick or dead birds or other infected animals.
For many of us, our pets are part of the family. And right now, there are some simple things we can do to help keep them safe.
Find out how to protect your cats,dogs, and backyard birds.
As the situation continues to evolve, check the Australian Government’s official Bird Flu website for the latest updates and advice.
The safest place for your cat is at home
You might not always know what your cat gets up to when they roam. They can travel further than you realise, hunt wildlife or interact with sick and dead birds… all without you knowing.
With Bird Flu circulating in South Australia, keeping your cat safely at home is more important than ever.
Keeping a cat at home isn’t cruel when their needs are being met. An enriching indoor environment or secure outdoor enclosure can give them everything they need while helping protect them from cars, cat fights, disease and contact with infected wildlife.
If your cat currently roams, now is a good time to start the transition.
Take extra care when walking your dog
You can still enjoy South Australia’s beaches, parks and walking trails with your dog. But right now, it’s especially important to keep them away from wildlife. A sick or dead bird may be tempting to a curious dog, but sniffing, licking, picking up or eating infected wildlife could expose them to disease.
Help protect your dog by:
keeping them on lead around wildlife, particularly at beaches and coastal areas
preventing them from sniffing, licking, picking up or eating sick or dead animals
moving away if you see multiple sick or dead birds in an area.
For backyard chickens and bird owners
Take a look at your birds’ enclosure today and ask: could a wild bird get in, access their food or drink from their water?
If the answer is yes, it’s time to make some changes.
Help protect your birds by:
keeping enclosures secure and limiting contact with wild birds
keeping free-ranging birds enclosed where possible
covering food and water so wild birds can’t access it
providing fresh food and clean water every day
regularly cleaning feeding and drinking areas
washing your hands before and after handling birds.
If your birds become unusually unwell or you notice unexpected deaths, report it straight away.
See sick or dead wildlife? Don’t walk past.
Remember three simple words:
AVOID: Don’t touch it. Keep pets and people away.
RECORD: Note the location and, if safe, take a photo.
REPORT: Call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Your report could help authorities identify new areas or species affected by Bird Flu.
What should I watch for in my pet?
If your cat or dog has had contact with sick or dead wildlife, watch for signs they are unwell, including:
unusual tiredness or lethargy
loss of appetite
coughing or sneezing
discharge from the eyes or nose
difficulty breathing
poor coordination, tremors or seizures.
These symptoms can be caused by many illnesses and do not automatically mean your pet has Bird Flu. But if your pet becomes unwell after contact with wildlife, call your vet and tell them about the possible exposure.
Small actions can make a difference
Bird Flu is now part of the reality facing South Australia’s wildlife. We can’t control where the virus travels next. But we can control how we respond. These may feel like small actions, but together they can help protect our pets, our wildlife and the animals across our state.