Australia has been declared free of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), as another strain of bird flu threatens.
The Federal Government has advised the World Organisation for Animal Health that outbreaks last year in Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory had been eradicated.
Federal Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins said reclaiming Australia’s freedom from HPAI would allow engagement with other countries on the full resumption of trade where restrictions remained.
Minister Collins said Australia had successfully contained and eradicated H7 HPAI a number of times in the past 50 years.
“This most recent eradication follows no new detections since July last year and underscores the effectiveness of our national emergency animal disease response arrangements,” she said.
Minister Collins said this was Australia’s most significant avian disease incident to date and the eradication response highlighted the importance of the partnership approach to biosecurity across all governments, industry and other stakeholders.
“(However) Australia must remain vigilant as a highly contagious and serious strain of H5 HPAI (known as H5 bird flu) is rapidly spreading globally through the movement of migratory wild birds.”
She said while this strain was not currently present in Australia, in recognition of the increased threat of H5 bird flu, more than $100 million would be invested in enhancing national preparedness and response capability.
“This will strengthen surveillance, preparedness and response capability and mitigate the impacts of a potential H5 bird flu outbreak on Australian agriculture, environment and human health.”
