The risk of infection in Australian wild birds is classified as high, after a risk assessment provided to the Department of Agriculture in December. The risk to poultry is listed as moderate to high.

Dr Melinda Cowan, a veterinary specialist in avian medicine, said her Sydney clinic is already making preparations for an outbreak.

“It’s critical that all bird owners, but especially our pet chicken owners, are aware of how to implement and potentially improve their own biosecurity measures,” she said. “And it’s sensible anyway.”

Cowan said authorities are worried about the disease being introduced by migrating seabirds and nomadic waterfowl. The highly virulent strain of the virus has been identified in more than 300 species of wild birds worldwide.

“We all need to really have our finger on the button,” she said. “We need to be very mindful of what’s going on overseas, there are definitely some things that we could implement straight away.”

Adélie penguins in Antarctica
‘Cautious optimism’ as penguins test positive for bird flu but show no symptoms
Read more
Cowan said homes with back yard chickens or pet birds could reduce the risk of interaction with wild birds by creating netted, enclosed spaces and regularly changing and sanitising sources of food and water.

She said that while implementing biosecurity measures in small back yards may be challenging, “this will be the way that we can protect our beloved pet birds, if we implement these things now”.

“We are mentioning this concern so people can be alert but not alarmed. We are trying to educate people about this concern and what they can do to help their flock.”