Animal Health & Husbandry
1 October, 2026
Farmers join fight against bird flu
MORE than 500 public land management staff and volunteers have increased their knowledge of H5 bird flu to help strengthen the response across the state.
Surveillance and sampling training have been delivered to land managers involved in detecting, reporting and collecting samples from deceased wildlife, particularly marine mammals and seabirds.
This will enable individuals across more areas of Victoria to contribute to sampling requirements as surveillance efforts increase.
Agriculture Victoria delivered information on a range of topics, including response, risks and protections, personal protective equipment (PPE) and sampling procedures during 10 sessions across metropolitan and regional locations including Colac, Anglesea, Tidal River and Horsham.
Parks Victoria, Victorian Fisheries Authority, Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority, Traditional Owner groups and other partner agencies took part in the training sessions.
Coastal land managers and frontline staff and volunteers in areas where migratory and native birds converge have assisted with reporting dozens of suspected bird flu cases already.
This training will ensure that those working on the ground responding to H5 bird flu have the information they need to keep themselves and their communities safe.
“Upskilling land managers in locations across the state supports our ability to respond as surveillance requirements increase in the coming months,” chief biodiversity officer James Todd said.
“The community can continue to help by avoiding contact with sick or dead wildlife and reporting sightings online.
“Handling, moving or disturbing birds can increase the risk of disease spread, place additional stress on affected wildlife and potentially impact the recovery of surviving bird populations.”
If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife, avoid, record and report via the Agriculture Victoria website or call the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888.
To keep up to date with Victoria’s response to H5 bird flu, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/birdflu