Illawarra residents urged to stay vigilant amid bird flu detections

Stay alert and stay informed..

That’s the message from Wollongong Council, amid Australia’s first confirmed cases of the deadly H5N1 bird flu.

While there haven’t been any detections here in the Illawarra yet, officials are warning the region’s migratory bird populations could be at risk.

Locals are being urged to avoid handling sick or dead birds, keep them away from pets and children, and report suspected cases to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline immediately online or on 1800 675 888.