Victoria is ramping up its biosecurity defences against H5N1 bird flu, with new Federal support to boost emergency preparedness and rapid response capabilities.
As part of a $100 million national biosecurity package, the Australian Government is investing $1.7 million in equipping Victoria with testing technology and specialised field response tools.
The funding will provide Victoria with crucial frontline equipment, including a PCR unit and other laboratory tools for rapid testing, as well as generators, decontamination trailers and specialised field equipment to support emergency response operations across multiple sites.
“Australia is the only continent free of H5 bird flu, which is why we have invested record funding of more than $100 million into maintaining our biosecurity status and preparing for this disease,” said Federal Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins.
“Strengthening our preparedness and response capability to H5 bird flu, including in Victoria, is critical – not just for our valuable agricultural industries, but also for our unique natural environment and our communities.”
“We’re taking significant steps to prepare and protect Victoria’s biosecurity system for the threat of H5N1 bird flu, making sure we have the capability to respond if it makes it to our shores,” said Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Ros Spence.
“This is part of a national effort across government, industry and community to strengthen biosecurity and protect the agriculture sector and the environment.”
Australia remains free from the H5N1 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), also known as H5 bird flu. This strain is currently circulating overseas. It mainly affects birds, but can also affect other animals, and, on rare occasions, humans.
Ongoing outbreaks of H5 bird flu globally have increased the level of risk to Australia for incursions of this virus. Annual migration of wild birds will continue to be a risk for introducing new avian influenza viruses to Australian birds.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is working with other government agencies, land managers and other relevant organisations to prepare for a H5N1 bird flu detection in Victoria.
Work continues with the poultry industry, wildlife experts and land managers to monitor for signs of the virus within wildlife and develop mitigation strategies to protect high-risk wildlife species.
