The online forum will provide an opportunity for owners to learn more about how to protect their backyard chooks, budgies and other pet birds.

Hosted by Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Skye Fruean and representatives from the Department of Environment and Water and SA Health, attendees will hear about biosecurity measures that can help reduce the risk of wild birds transmitting the H5 virus to backyard birds.

These measures include keeping free-ranging birds in enclosed areas where possible and covering food and water sources.

Outbreaks in other countries have shown that backyard birds and other pets including cats and dogs are susceptible to H5 bird flu. There have also been a small number of human infections overseas.

Although the risk is low, attendees will be advised about how to manage risk to themselves while caring for their feathered pets.

The webinar, being held on Tuesday 25 August at 6.30pm, is part of the South Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to engage directly with key stakeholders including primary industries, the wildlife sector and broader community.

In-person forums are also being held to provide South Australians with another avenue to hear directly from leading experts and Government ministers about what’s being done to respond to existing risk and prepare for future detections of H5 bird flu.

Upcoming forums:

• Golden Grove: Recreation and Arts Centre, 1 Tenison Place, Monday 24 August, 6pm-7.30pm
• Port MacDonnell: Community Complex, Thursday 27 August, 6pm-7.30pm

Register for the webinar or an in-person forum by visiting birdflu.sa.gov.au/community-forums.