High pathogenicity avian influenza information

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Apr, 14 2024 | Avian Influenza

High pathogenicity avian influenza information

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b has caused ongoing outbreaks of disease in wild birds, from 2021, throughout much of North America, Europe, Asia and Africa, and into Antarctica and its islands. Mortalities have been observed in a wide range of species, seen as individual bird deaths and have included mass mortalities. While previous research has determined the risk of HPAI strains entering Australia via migratory birds to be low, the current global situation means an increased level of risk to Australia.

Avian influenza is a nationally notifiable disease which means if you suspect an animal is showing signs of the disease, you must report it. You can do this by calling the national Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

Note: All Australian jusrisdictions also require that all avian influenza virus detections are reported to the relevant Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO).

WHA advice and information

Advice for people who encounter sick or dead wild birds (Dec 2023, v. 3.1)
Advice for veterinarians and other animal health professionals (Dec 2023, v. 3.1)
Advice for bird banders, wildlife rangers and researchers (Dec 2023, v. 3.1)
WHA HPAI Communications Guide for Managers of Wild Animal Populations (Dec 2023)
WHA Fact Sheet: Avian influenza in wild birds in Australia (updated Apr 2024)
Technical Issue Update – Global High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Events (Sept 2023)
Find out more about Australia's Wild Bird Avian Influenza Surveillance program
High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4b incursion risk assessment for Australia (from landing page, choose Disease Risk Assessments, RHS of top options, then scroll to the bottom of the page to find this report)

WHA risk mitigation toolboxes

WHA HPAI and wild animals in Australia - risk mitigation toolbox for wildlife managers (Apr 2024, v. 1.1) **UPDATED**
WHA HPAI and wild animals in Australia - risk mitigation toolbox Appendix 1 (risk mitigation checklist) (Apr 2024, v. 1.1) **UPDATED**
WHA HPAI and wild animals in Australia - risk mitigation toolbox Appendix 2 (spreadsheets for collating population information)

Guidelines (national and international)

National Wildlife Biosecurity Guidelines
World Organisation for Animal Health - Considerations for emergency vaccination of wild birds against high pathogenicity avian influenza in specific situations
WHO guidelines on influenza in animals (Aug 2023) Public health resource pack for countries experiencing outbreaks of influenza in animals
World Organisation for Animal Health - Practical guide for authorised field responders to HPAI outbreaks in marine mammals, with a focus on biosecurity, sample collection for virus detection and carcass disposal **NEW**
Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels - Guidelines for working with albatrosses and petrels during the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 panzootic

Further information (Australia)

Australian Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry - Information on Avian Influenza or Bird Flu and Information for bird owners
Australian Department of Health and Aged Care - Avian influenza in Humans, Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza and The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for Public Health Units on Avian Influenza
The Avian Influenza AUSVETPLAN sets out the nationally agreed response approach to Avian Influenza outbreaks in Australia. This includes agreed policy in Australia with respect to LPAI or HPAI detection in wild birds. The plan can be downloaded from Animal Health Australia website under Disease specific documents
Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy - Avian influenza awareness: Keep a TopWatch! (video) **NEW**
Michelle Wille's website - Avian influenza resources

Further information (international)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Information on Bird Flu
World Organisation for Animal Health & IUCN SSC Wildlife Health Specialist Group - Avian Influenza and Wildlife: Risk management for people working with wild birds
OFFLU statement on Continued expansion of HPAI H5 in wildlife in South America and incursion into the Antarctic region (Dec 2023)
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals Scientific Task Force on Avian Influenza and Wild Birds

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