THE Shire of Northam community is asked to assist with surveillance for H5 bird flu.
No cases have been identified in the area to date, but residents who see sick or dead birds or marine mammals should avoid them and not handle them.
Residents are encouraged to record and take photos or a video and report to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Northam residents are being encouraged to take steps to keep pets away from wildlife, including preventing cats from roaming and keeping dogs on leads in wildlife areas.
Residents that own, care for, or work with birds, are being advised to prevent wild birds from mingling with your birds and accessing their feed and water, keep pens, aviaries, feeders and equipment clean, and wash hands thoroughly with soap before and after handling birds.
More information about H5 bird flu is available at birdflu.gov.au
As of July 6, Australia has had six detections of H5 bird flu in wild birds confirmed by CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP).
There are four confirmed in WA, but there is no evidence of any mass mortality and the risk to human health remains low according to the Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
Information released by the CDC said there was no vaccine available, and people should take steps to prevent bird flu.
According to the CDC, preventative steps include getting an annual flu vaccination which does not protect against bird flu infection but reduces the risk of getting sick with human flu and bird flu at the same time.
The risk of common human flu viruses and bird flu viruses mixing to create a more dangerous influenza virus also reduces after vaccination, according to the centre.
The centre also advised thoroughly cooking meat and eggs before eating, regularly checking the health advice on Smartraveller for anyone travelling overseas and alerting health professionals if symptoms arise within 10 days of contact with sick or dead birds while abroad.
General enquiries about H5 bird flu can be emailed to H5birdflu@dpird.wa.gov.au
