Australia war games bird flu fightback as deadly strain looms

Environmental groups, poultry producers and government officials are joining forces for a large-scale "war game" as Australia prepares for the potential arrival of a deadly strain of bird flu.

The H5N1 strain of avian influenza has been detected in every continent around the world, except Australia.

Since mid-August, the federal government has undertaken a number of preparatory measures under the overall banner of Exercise Volare.

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Today, in the culmination of the exercise, multiple agencies and stakeholders are taking part in a "scenario-based" event that will test their response to a hypothetical detection of H5N1 in Australia.

"The situation remains dynamic and we are committed to provide an agile inter-governmental, industry and community response to protect Australian industry, trade and wildlife," Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said.

"We are very concerned about the impact this disease could have on our native wildlife, vulnerable threatened species and broader environment and on our agricultural systems, including on production and trade."

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Although many scientists predict that H5N1 will at some point arrive in Australia, possibly via sick wild birds, Health Minister Mark Butler said the current risk to Australians was "very low".

The disease does not spread easily from animals to humans.

"When there are human cases, they typically occur after a person has had close contact with sick birds and livestock or contaminated environments. Poultry workers are most at risk," Butler said.

"The interim Australian Centre for Disease Control is working very closely with other Commonwealth, state and territory agencies to ensure Australia is as prepared as possible for any potential case of the H5N1 HPAI strain."

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People are urged to avoid contact sick, dead, or dying wild birds, and are urged to report such deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

A recent report revealed the H5N1 strain has reached Antarctica, leaving Australia as the only unaffected continent.

The strain has run rampant through poultry flocks in the US, Europe, and Asia, even causing several human deaths.

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