Ongoing preparations against the threat of bird flu and other emergency animal diseases are getting a boost with a mobile laboratory being funded for use in South Australia.
Australia remains the only continent free from the H5N1 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), also known as H5 bird flu.
This strain is currently circulating overseas and mainly affects birds, but can also affect other animals, and, on rare occasions, humans.
South Australia’s $922 million poultry industry remains free of any strain of HPAI.
The laboratory – which is in addition to mobile decontamination trailers that are already operational – will increase the chances of early detection and response capability, enabling rapid mobilisation in the event of any bird flu outbreak in the state.
The federal government recently provided South Australia with a $1.29-million funding package to assist in further enhancing the state’s H5 bird flu preparedness and response capabilities.
This will allow for the purchase of other critical assets for the state, including depopulation equipment and decontamination devices that will be essential to respond to the disease should it be detected in SA.
The funding to boost HPAI biosecurity response capability of states and territories is part of a broader federal government $95m package announced in October 2024 to strengthen overall national surveillance, preparedness and response capability.
This is in addition to $6.8m already committed by the state government in December 2022 to increase emergency animal disease (EAD) preparedness within the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA).
State Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven said protecting primary industries through rapid response to any livestock biosecurity incident was paramount to protecting livestock industries.
“This new equipment and other preparations underway will enable PIRSA to rapidly respond to a disease outbreak. Response activities would include quarantining affected properties and undertaking sampling and decontamination activities,” she said.
“With the heightened risk of emergency animal diseases including avian influenza, the state government is doing all it can to ensure South Australia is well placed to respond if required.”
With an outbreak of the H7 strain of HPAI currently impacting farms in northern Victoria, PIRSA remains vigilant against the disease and continues to monitor the situation closely.
Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the H7 outbreak in Victoria was being monitored seriously and said Australia was in a good position to fight outbreaks.
“Australia is well prepared for bird flu outbreaks, having successfully contained and eradicated H7 HPAI a number of times in the past 50 years, including as recently as last year,” she said.
Senator for South Australia Karen Grogan said the federal government was ensuring SA was equipped to respond rapidly and comprehensively to the outbreak of emergency animal diseases.
If you see any signs of disease or unexpected deaths in your poultry or birds, contact your vet or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 immediately.
For more information on bird flu preparedness and biosecurity measures in South Australia visit pir.sa.gov.au/avian-influenza
