Avian Influenza Government Response Plan

What is the government doing?

Part of Australia's approach to combating animal and pest diseases is to ensure that relevant government bodies, primary producers and the public are alerted to what is happening overseas and to take appropriate preventive action.

Measures have been taken to heighten biosecurity in Australia, including:

  • A complete ban on the importation of live poultry or pet birds from countries that have avian influenza into Australia
  • Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service officers at airports, seaports and international mail handling facilities being placed on permanent alert to inspect closely for poultry products (meat and/or egg products and products including feathers) and live birds
  • PIRSA stock inspectors and veterinary officers have been alerted to be vigilant and to investigate any reports of infection in susceptible species
  • PIRSA and other agencies continue to work closely with poultry producers to ensure they have good biosecurity measures in place to protect their flocks from any possible exposure to the virus
  • PIRSA veterinary laboratories have ongoing routine screening of bird samples submitted for examination.
  • There have been five outbreaks of AI in commercial bird flocks in Australia, all of which were quickly detected, isolated and successfully eradicated without spread or human illness. These outbreaks were in Victoria (1976, 1985, 1992), Queensland (1994) and NSW (1997).

Strategy for controlling a disease outbreak

Animal Health Australia and PIRSA have worked with poultry industry peak body groups to develop a comprehensive response plan to respond to, and control, an outbreak should one eventuate.

A nationally agreed strategy for controlling and eradicating an outbreak of the virulent form of avian influenza is outlined under AUSVETPLAN [External site - opens in new window] for the poultry industry.

It includes:

  • immediate stamping out and disposal of infected and in-contact birds to remove the major source of virus
  • strict quarantine and movement controls to prevent the spread of infection
  • decontamination to remove and reduce the virus
  • tracing and surveillance to locate the source of infection, locate other infected premises and determine the extent of the infection
  • zoning to define infected and disease-free areas.
  • Vaccination in commercial flocks may be an option in some circumstances but no vaccine is currently available or approved for use in Australia.

The information on this page was sourced from the Victorian Department of Primary Industries www.dpi.vic.gov.au [External site - opens in new window]