H5 Bird Flu
- GORCAPA is working with relevant agencies to respond to the H5 bird flu outbreak.
- Agriculture Victoria and DEECA are the lead agencies responding at the state level, with GORCAPA providing on-ground assistance at their direction.
- Locally, that means we are responding to reports, installing community information signs or temporary exclusion areas and collecting deceased birds in some locations.
- The community has an important role to play as well - by following the advice to ‘Avoid, Record, Report’ as well as stopping dogs and other domestic animals approaching sick or deceased animals.
- While we have seen a spike in sick and deceased birds along the coast, it is unclear at this stage how the virus will affect Australian species, including seals and penguins. Monitoring is underway right across Victoria’s coastline.
- GORCAPA is taking a pragmatic approach to removing deceased birds along the coast, focused on areas of high visitation or public access.
- For more information about actions underway across Victoria, go to the Agriculture Victoria website
FAQs
What is GORCAPA’s role?
We are the land manager for the coast and parks of the Great Ocean Road and are working closely with Agriculture Victoria / DEECA as the relevant lead agencies who are coordinating the state response to H5 bird flu.
At a local level, that means we are the first responders in terms of reporting and if determined after thorough assessment, collecting deceased animals or putting in place temporary exclusion areas.
We’re also working to support local communities with relevant information about their area and what to do if they encounter sick or deceased animals. This includes installing signage across the coast, particularly at high visitation areas.
When and where will GORCAPA remove deceased birds?
We are taking a pragmatic approach to this which balances staff and public safety.
Simply put, we will undertake a risk-based assessment of deceased animals to determine it the location and / or quantity of animal’s triggers collection and disposal.
Foreshores at popular beaches, boat ramps or main beach access points are areas we know have high interaction with the public, so these sites are more likely to reach this trigger.
In other areas such as remote beaches or foreshores, we will leave birds and animals where they are.
The advice to the public in these areas is to avoid direct contact (including domestic animals), record what you see and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
We may also undertake removal, where keeping the carcasses in situ poses an unacceptable risk to vulnerable and threatened species.
We will also engage with Traditional Owners to understand their expectations.
Why won’t GORCAPA clean up dead birds everywhere?
In areas which are remote or do not see many visitors, leaving deceased animals in place is the preferred approach in line with DEECA’s recommendations to allow the disease to naturally spread through our wildlife and reduce stress to sick and survivor birds.
Can community members or volunteer groups collect dead birds or animals?
NO. The community is requested to not collect deceased animals. This is for their safety and to help reduce the potential spread of H5 bird flu.
Our staff are trained in the appropriate health and safety protocols and are required to use proper safety clothing and equipment.
If a community member decides to collect a deceased bird or animal, they do so at their own risk.
The Agriculture Victoria website has detailed information about safe practices and hygiene principles when using PPE.
What should community members do if they encounter a SICK looking animal?
Avoid direct contact (including domestic animals), record what you see and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Intervention by the public to ‘look after’ (taking home or to a vet) or ‘euthanising’ (even if well intentioned) a sick animal is strongly NOT recommended.
What should community members do if they encounter a DEAD animal?
Avoid direct contact (including domestic animals), record what you see and report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
If there are deceased animals at high visitation sites along the coast that we are not aware of, please also let GORCAPA know by calling 1300 736 533. We will endeavour to complete an assessment of the site as soon as possible and take appropriate action as required.
What is the advice for dogs or other domestic animals?
The best thing people can do is keep their dogs (any domestic animal) well away from sick or deceased birds and animals.
We recommend keeping dogs on lead at all times, even in off leash areas to minimise the risk of exposure’.
If people have concerns about the health of the pet, they should seek veterinary advice.
If a sign has been installed providing H5 bird flu general advice, does that mean that area is closed?
No. People will see the Avoid, Record and Report signs across the coast, but they do not mean that area is closed or restricted.
These are general information signs to provide the community with information about what to do if the see sick or deceased birds and animal.
They are also put up near where sick birds are identified to let the community know those animals have already been reported – to avoid duplication.
If an area is closed, there will be clear ‘closed’ signage installed and or temporary barriers.
How bad do authorities think it will get?
It is hard to provide a definitive answer, with this being the early stages of detected H5 bird flu in Australia.
All birds and mammals are at some risk of H5 bird flu, yet it is hard to predict how Australia’s unique fauna species will be impacted. The spread of H5 bird flu in other countries has shown that certain species are more likely to be susceptible and vulnerable to population impacts.
H5 bird flu may have significant impact on seabirds, shorebirds and marine mammals such as seals, and cetaceans such as whales and dolphins.
It is unclear what the related ecological impacts will be, with the loss or population reduction for these species.
Evidence from overseas suggests that some populations can recover following outbreaks, particularly where species have large population sizes and strong breeding success. However, recovery rates vary considerably between species and locations.
What is being done to mitigate impacts on threatened species like Hooded Plovers?
GORCAPA will continue to work closely with Government agencies and key stakeholders through the Hooded Plover breeding season and continue to employ breeding protection measures in line with any Statewide directives.
What is being done to mitigate impacts on wildlife, including seals and penguins?
Phillip Island Nature Parks, supported by key stakeholders including Agriculture Victoria, the Penguin Foundation and Earthcare St Kilda, have approval to vaccinate little penguins at Phillip Island and St Kilda. Find our more information here: Little penguin vaccination program » Phillip Island Nature Parks
Vaccination is not a guarantee against infection but remains an important tool that may help reduce the impact of H5 bird flu on this population.
There is currently no approved H5 bird flu vaccination for seals or other terrestrial and marine mammals.
The level of impact of H5 bird flu is yet to be determined, with monitoring along the coast ongoing – including via aerial surveys.
Agencies and land managers may adapt their approach as new information becomes available.
What action is GORCAPA taking to reduce scavenger species populations ie foxes, cats, predatory birds to reduce the spread of the virus?
H5 may naturally spread through these species as well. Our ongoing feral animal programs will continue.
How are deceased birds being disposed of? What about other animals?
There is an established process to collect and dispose of deceased birds and animals, including hygiene and PPE requirements, with remains added to land fill for now.
If there are large mortality events or animals other than birds such as seals a different approach will be taken.