Biosecurity Week focusses on avian infuenza

As Australia recovers from its most severe avian disease outbreak in 50 years, the focus has shifted to preparing for future avian infuenza threats, particularly the virulent strains that have devastated poultry, wild birds, and mammals worldwide.

The recent H7 high pathogenicity avian infuenza (HPAI) outbreak in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory demonstrated the effectiveness of Australia’s national response in containing and eradicating the disease in poultry. Since July 2024, no new H7 HPAI outbreaks have occurred, marking the ninth successful eradication of such incidents in Australia since 1976.

Health experts from the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control emphasize the importance of a One Health approach in safeguarding Australians. This approach integrates human health with environmental and agricultural health, recognizing their interconnection.

Australia remains the only continent currently free from the new H5 HPAI strain, making vigilance crucial to monitor and understand its potential spread. Extensive preparedness and response efforts are already underway, building on longestablished surveillance and biosecurity planning measures.

Key fgures in these efforts include:

• Dr. Brant Smith, ACT: As the National Animal Disease Preparedness Coordinator at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry, Dr. Smith leads efforts to strengthen Australia’s animal disease prevention and response capabilities, preparing for potential H5 HPAI detection. He collaborates across governments, communities, and industries to ensure a swift and effective response if the virus is found, minimizing impacts on wildlife, the environment, and agriculture.

• Dr. Fiona Fraser, ACT: As the Threatened Species Commissioner at the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment, and Water, Dr. Fraser focuses on raising awareness and reducing threats to Australia’s most imperilled species, including the risks posed by H5N1 HPAI to wild birds and mammals.

• Dr. Tiggy Grillo, Tasmania: As National Coordinator at Wildlife Health Australia, Dr. Grillo oversees the National Avian Infuenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program, monitoring avian infuenza and investigating unexplained bird deaths across Australia.

• Dr. Guy Weerasinghe, Queensland: As Technical Manager for the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy, Dr. Weerasinghe leads surveillance for exotic diseases in northern Australia, ensuring potential threats like H5 HPAI are effectively managed.

• Marietta Matasia, Top End: As Indigenous Ranger Coordinator, Marietta oversees critical biosecurity activities in Cape York Peninsula, monitoring marine abnormalities and avian infuenza signs to protect the region’s biodiversity.

• Dr. Sarah Britton, NSW: Working with the interim Australian Centre for Disease Control, Dr. Britton integrates human, environmental, and agricultural health, addressing issues like zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance. For more information on Biosecurity Week, visit the offcial Biosecurity Week page.