Melbourne Water steps up bird flu response across its sites

Melbourne Water is taking action to protect the tens of thousands of shorebirds and wild migratory waterbirds who call our Ramsar-listed wetlands and waterways home.  

Following last week’s closure of the Western Treatment Plant (WTP) to birdwatchers as a precautionary measure, Melbourne Water’s H5 bird flu incident management team (IMT) is shifting from preparedness to response.  

The closure of WTP to birdwatchers remains in place to reduce disturbance to the birds and reduce the risk of people inadvertently spreading the virus through contact with birds, wildlife or their habitats and environment.  

As recent detections of H5 bird flu continue to be recorded in and around the Greater Melbourne area, we are closely monitoring conditions at a number of ecologically significant sites in addition to WTP, including the Edithvale-Seaford wetlands, the largest natural wetland of its type in the Port Phillip and Westernport basins, as well as at the Eastern Treatment Plant (ETP) in the city’s east.  

Melbourne Water Executive General Manager of Service Delivery, Sue Jackman, said while the public can be reassured that Edithvale and many other public parklands remain open, it’s important that visitors follow any site-specific advice and signage. 

“The simple message to any visitors is this: avoid, record, and report the sighting of any sick or dead wildlife, and let us work with Victorian authorities in responding, particularly where wildlife is found on Melbourne Water land,” she said. 

“Do not touch, move or dispose of sick or dead wildlife. While the risk to the general public is low, in rare cases people can acquire H5 bird flu through close contact with infected birds or wildlife.” 

“Some mammals can become infected with H5 bird flu, so it’s also important to be mindful of keeping your dog on a leash and away from sick or dead animals particularly near waterways,” Jackman said.  

Melbourne Water’s IMT continues to work closely with Agriculture Victoria and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) on the H5 bird flu response and wildlife monitoring programs remain in place across the WTP and ETP sites.  

What should I look out for?

Wild birds and other wildlife infected with H5 bird flu may show one or more of the following signs: 

• Lack of coordination, tremors or swimming in circles 

• Twisted neck or unusual posture 

• Inability to stand or fly 

• Difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing 

• Swelling around the head, neck or eyes 

• Cloudiness or a change in eye colour 

• Diarrhoea 

• Sudden death 

What can I do? Report suspected cases 

If you encounter sick or dead wild birds or wildlife that may be infected with H5 bird flu: 

1. AVOID contact with sick or dead birds, wildlife, or their environment. 

• Do not touch or collect animals. 

2. RECORD what you see, including: 

• Number of sick or dead animals 

• Species (if known) 

• Location (GPS coordinates or site address) 

• Date and time 

3. REPORT the incident by: 

• Calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline: 1800 675 888 

• Completing the relevant DEECA reporting form 

• Notifying Melbourne Water: 

• Email Melbourne Water at [email protected] 

• Phone our Customer Service Centre on 131 722