With H5N1 bird flu spreading, keep dogs safe with a short lead - Randwick City Council

Amid the rapidly spreading outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu, one member of your household is at potential risk: your dog.

H5N1 has been detected in birds across Australia, with hundreds of positive cases identified so far and rising.

If infected birds are eaten or bitten by your dog, then they run the risk of contracting the flu.

The flu can also spread through droppings or saliva.

As of writing, there have been no documented cases of the flu spreading to dogs.

However, as cross-species infection is possible, keep your dog on a short lead to avoid them coming across a bird carcass before you have time to react.

If you find sick or dead wild birds, domestic birds, marine mammals or other wildlife showing signs of H5 bird flu:

Keeping your dog on a short leash also has the added benefit of keeping Australia's at-risk native wildlife safe.

For more information about the H5N1 bird flu outbreak, head to the NSW government website, here.

Last Updated: 1 September 2026