Bird Flu Attracts $6.9 Million for Surveillance and Potential Vaccines

Australian Agriculture Minister Murray Watt said Australia ‘cannot rest on our laurels.’

Eggs in a carton are seen at a supermarket in Albany, Western Australia, on June 10, 2024. Susan Mortimer/The Epoch Times

Bird flu surveillance will be ramped up in Australia with $6.9 million (US$4.67 million) in Federal funding. The Australian government revealed that the funding will be allocated for surveillance of and investigation of the potential of avian influenza vaccines.

The investment is the government’s response to the threat of the H5 and H7 strains of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza.

Despite Australia being the last continent free of the H5 strain, Australia “cannot rest on our laurels” according to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt.

“The strength of our national biosecurity system and Australia’s geographic isolation has kept us free from H5 HPAI, which is currently having a major impact across the globe,” Mr. Watt said.

“The arrival of migratory birds from areas where H5 HPAI is present—particularly as spring approaches—means we face a constant risk that is outside of our control.”

Mr. Watt said Australia could not stop the natural migration patterns of wild birds that may be sick but can prepare if that does take place.

“That is why we are investing $6.9 million in enhanced capability to detect and respond to avian influenza in wildlife,” he added.

The funding includes $2.2 million for the Wildlife Health Australia One Health Surveillance Initiative.

In addition, $1.95 million will be given to Animal Health Australia to assist with the national response capability for avian influenza in poultry.

This includes “investigating the potential of commercial avian influenza vaccines for use in Australia.”

Further, $1.1 million will be provided to extend the National Avian Influenza Wild Bird Surveillance Program for a further 4 years.

Funding of $70,000 will be allocated to understand the link between  H7 low pathogenicity avian influenza in Australian wild birds and outbreaks of H7 HPAI in Australian poultry.

Meanwhile, $800,000 will allocated to “communication with stakeholders, industry and the general public” to improve understanding of Australia’s biosecurity measures and preparedness.

An extra $580,000 will be provided to assist with early detection and response capability for H5 HPAI in wildlife.

Furthermore, $200,000 will be invested in analysis to quantify the location, structure, biosecurity, routine husbandry practices, and movement patterns of Australia’s commercial poultry industries.

Bird Flu Detected in Three States, Twelve Cases

This comes after bird flu was discovered in backyard chickens in the ACT, the second case of bird flu in the territory and the 12th in Australia.

In addition, the ACT government advised on June 27 that one property had returned a positive result for the H7N8 strain of avian influenza.

This strain of influenza was traced back to an infected property in New South Wales (NSW), where two cases of H7N8 had been discovered in Hawkesbury, northwest of Sydney.

In response to the avian influenza cases, the NSW government has implemented two six-month emergency orders and culled over 320,000 birds.

In Victoria, the H7N3 strain was detected at eight poultry farms in the Golden Plains Shire, and a case of the H7N9 strain avian flu was also discovered. More than one million birds were euthanized in Victoria to bring the bird flu under control.

Agriculture Victoria is planning an avian influenza pop-up event in Terang and Bannockburn on July 12 and 13 to inform the public about the bird flu.

The department recently reassured the public that highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses pose no risk to humans when they come into contact with infected animals.

“Getting sick from these viruses is unlikely for the public. Being cautious when interacting with infected animals is important to minimise any potential risk,” the department said.

They added that eggs and duck meat products are safe too, given they “do not pose a risk and are safe to consume.”

Meanwhile, in an update in early July, the federal government said the current strains of avian influenza in Australia do not “transmit easily between humans.”

The government reiterated that eggs and chicken meat are safe to eat, provided they are handled and cooked according to standard food handling procedures.

National Coordination Role for Federal Government

On July 11, Minister Watt explained that the federal agriculture department was taking on a national coordination and leadership role to prepare for the H5 HPAI.

“There has been a multi-faceted response across governments, other agencies, and industry, led by the team at DAFF, as we work to mitigate the impact that any H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza incursion could have,” he said.

“We are also working with affected jurisdictions and industry to respond to Australia’s H7 high pathogenicity avian influenza outbreaks.”