Australia is no stranger to the challenges posed by infectious diseases.

With the looming threat of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza, the nation is taking proactive steps to ensure its readiness.

The federal government has initiated a significant national exercise to scrutinise Australia's biosecurity measures, which could be a game-changer in the battle against this potentially deadly flu.

The H5N1 strain of bird flu is notorious for its rapid spread and high mortality rate.

Since its first detection in Hong Kong in 1997, it has swept through continents, causing severe illness and death not only in birds but also in humans.

While Australia has been fortunate to remain free of this strain, the government is not taking any chances, recognising the 'significant risks' it poses.

Australia tested readiness for a potential H5N1 bird flu outbreak in a major national exercise. Credit: Shutterstock

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins has emphasised the government's commitment to safeguarding the country.

‘Australia remains the only continent free of this H5N1 HPAI strain, and our government will continue to focus on ensuring Australia is prepared for any future detection,’ she said.

‘We have recently invested an extra $7m to focus on the threats posed by this strain of avian influenza, and more than $1bn in new biosecurity funding overall has been invested by our government.’

‘The situation remains dynamic, and we are committed to providing an agile intergovernmental, industry and community response to protect Australian industry, trade and wildlife.’

The World Health Organisation has reported 882 cases of H5N1 infections in humans globally, with 461 fatalities since 2003.

These numbers underscore the importance of the upcoming national response test for bird flu, which forms part of Exercise Volare.

This series of discussions, exercises, and activities measures the country's preparedness to respond to an outbreak.

Previous exercises have tested the capacity of Commonwealth, state, and territory government responses and highlighted the Albanese government's dedication to biosecurity.

In other news, a child in Victoria has been confirmed as Australia's first bird flu case, having contracted H5N1 in India.

Health officials noted that human transmission of avian influenza is rare, and there is no evidence of the spread of H5N1 from human to human. Read more about it here.

Key Takeaways

• Australia is conducting a major national exercise to evaluate its readiness to handle a potential outbreak of the H5N1 strain of bird flu.
• Stakeholders across various sectors are collaborating to assess the country's biosecurity measures and response capabilities.
• Australia is currently the only continent not to have detected the H5N1 strain, which poses significant risks to human health, agriculture, and wildlife.
• The federal government has invested additional funds into biosecurity, with over $1 billion allocated to safeguard against threats like avian influenza.

We'd love to hear your thoughts on this issue. Have you taken any steps to prepare for potential health threats like the bird flu? Share your experiences and tips in the comments below!

 

[BruceC]

WOW.
Let’s lockdown the world!
882 Cases worldwide & 461 deaths worldwide in 21 years.
Thats 42 cases each year & 22 deaths a year out of a population of 8.2 billion people.
put that $1.7B into curing cancer or simply fixing our health system and that would save countless 1000’s of lives each year.
Just simply more scaremongering bullshit to justify the corrupt World Health Organisation!

 

[DLHM]

WOW.
Let’s lockdown the world!
882 Cases worldwide & 461 deaths worldwide in 11 years.
Thats 80 cases each year & 43 deaths a year out of a population of 8.2 billion people.
put that $1.7B into curing cancer or simply fixing our health system and that would save countless 1000’s of lives each year.

461 deaths worldwide in 21 years.

 

[Veggiepatch]

It's not the human mortality rate that is of concern, it is the effect that H5N1 has on domestic poultry.

Let it get a foothold in Australia and you will be potentially kissing the country's poultry industry goodbye.

 

[Clancieblue]

It's not the human mortality rate that is of concern, it is the effect that H5N1 has on domestic poultry.

Let it get a foothold in Australia and you will be potentially kissing the country's poultry industry goodbye.

Thank goodness for common sense

 

[Veggiepatch]

Thank goodness for common sense

The Centres for Disease Control reports that the H5N1 virus has a 90 to 100% mortality rate amongst domestic chickens with death occurring in about 48 hours.

For all you lovers of Peking Duck, that feathered species is not affected by this strain of Avian Flu.

 

[Barbara V]

Do we need this it's been all over the news stations for weeks

 

[BruceC]

461 deaths worldwide in 21 years.

Yep!
I read that wrong. I have edited my comment ?
Thanks for picking that up.

 

[Rickcb63]

Keeping the fear alive ! Bloody Criminals !

 

[Rickcb63]

It's not the human mortality rate that is of concern, it is the effect that H5N1 has on domestic poultry.

Let it get a foothold in Australia and you will be potentially kissing the country's poultry industry goodbye.

Why are there NO dead wild birds anywhere to be seen ??
So it just attacks chickens ?? Hmmmmmm BS

 

[Veggiepatch]

Why are there NO dead wild birds anywhere to be seen ??
So it just attacks chickens ?? Hmmmmmm BS

What? I was referring to the potential effect of the H5N1 virus on the Australian poultry industry, not on its effect on budgerigars, emus, seagulls, pelicans or whatever.

Let your imagination to run rampant at your own risk.

 

[Catherines]

I believe that if this virus gets a hold on the poultry industry in Australia then we WILL probably have to kill all affected chickens. That will mean very few fresh eggs (another crazy stockpiling issue, although for a limited time because it’s a fresh food item, pushing & shoving by customers etc as with toilet paper a couple of years ago) and no chicken as a cheaper cut of food compared to red meats which are presently soaring in price.

This is an issue that, in my opinion, should not be ignored - too many people are calling many of these issues ‘scams’ and scare mongering. When it hits in reality the same people start to blame the government for doing nothing, not themselves for ignoring warnings.

It costs nothing to take precautions even if some may end up as invalid but, when things hit for real, don’t blame the government for it.

 

[Rickcb63]

What? I was referring to the potential effect of the H5N1 virus on the Australian poultry industry, not on its effect on budgerigars, emus, seagulls, pelicans or whatever.

Let your imagination to run rampant at your own risk.

So every other feathered species are immune?
only the most eaten of all foods(chicken) is affected ! And you can’t see the elephant in the room ??
OMG guess the sheeple shot will get you !

 

[Veggiepatch]

So every other feathered species are immune?
only the most eaten of all foods(chicken) is affected ! And you can’t see the elephant in the room ??
OMG guess the sheeple shot will get you !

Oh dear!

FACT: H5N1 affect over 140 bird species where some are just carriers, while others are physically harmed. Many wild birds and waterfowl (especially geese, ducks and swans) carry the virus but generally don’t show signs of the disease. However, they can infect other birds and poultry they come into contact with.

Dispute this? Well take it up with the Australian Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.

 

[DLHM]

So every other feathered species are immune?
only the most eaten of all foods(chicken) is affected ! And you can’t see the elephant in the room ??
OMG guess the sheeple shot will get you !

Veggiepatch does his research to back up his statements. The research is reputable, unlike crazy theories and false stories that some people post @Rickcb63.

 

[Catherines]

Veggiepatch does his research to back up his statements. The research is reputable, unlike crazy theories and false stories that some people post @Rickcb63.

Fully agree he does his research because most of his posts have scientific information.

Too many people blame the government when things go wrong but not themselves for ignoring advice and not taking precautions when warned.

 

[Veggiepatch]

Fully agree he does his research because most of his posts have scientific information.

Too many people blame the government when things go wrong but not themselves for ignoring advice and not taking precautions when warned.

It must drive poor @DLHM around the twist....

 

[Catherines]

You said it - not me, Veggiepatch!! Poor DLHM.

 

[DLHM]

It must drive poor @DLHM around the twist....

I’m glad you enjoy researching important and useful topics Veg, and not spending time on your laptop looking at other things.

 

[Macarj]

What steps can you take?

It's not the human mortality rate that is of concern, it is the effect that H5N1 has on domestic poultry.

Let it get a foothold in Australia and you will be potentially kissing the country's poultry industry goodbye.

Damn no more eggs