Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Note:
The contents of this entry in this website have been compiled from information drawn from a variety of sources and is provided for information purposes only. Persons should seek professional advice when prudent to do so.

Chief Veterinary Officer’s message to Victorians October 2006

Victoria remains free of Avian Influenza. However, the H5N1 strain of Avian Influenza (AI, or Bird Flu) has spread through Asia and to Europe. In March and April of this year Sweden, the Czech Republic, Germany and UK, confirmed H5N1 in wild birds or poultry, as did several countries in Africa. Importantly, while there are unofficial reports of outbreaks in our neighbour, Western Papua, I believe good standards of quarantine and strict biosecurity guidelines for poultry farms in Australia have helped prevent the disease occurring here. There is little evidence of person-to-person transmission of the virus at this time. In some reported cases in Vietnam and more recently in Thailand and Indonesia the link between humans and infected poultry could not be fully established, although small clusters of human disease in family members have been reported in Indonesia. I would like to take this opportunity to reinforce that the risk of the disease entering Australia in wild birds is very low. There is also a very low risk of Victorian poultry becoming infected with AI. The most likely way for the H5N1 virus to reach Victoria is in migratory birds coming from Asia. However, the few species that reach Australia are shore waders and are rarely in contact with domestic poultry.

Dr Hugh Millar - Chief Veterinary Officer of Victoria

In Victoria, strict biosecurity guidelines apply to all poultry farms to prevent poultry, feed and water from mixing with wild birds. This minimises the risk of disease.

Pet bird owners also have no need for concern. There is virtually no risk that the birds will be infected because the H5N1 AI virus is not present in this country. However, it is a good practice to protect the food and water used for your pet birds and to ensure wild birds cannot come into contact with them.

Finally, it is important for all of us to follow good hygiene practices to minimise the risk of any disease, such as washing hands after contact with animals and birds and, in particular, not handling sick or dead birds.

These are sensible precautions that will prevent many diseases, not just AI.

Finally, I would like to remind you that Australia has well tested and efficient response strategies to deal with potential outbreaks. We are watching and we are prepared.

Dr H W Millar
Chief Veterinary Officer, Victoria