AVIAN INFLUENZA INFORMATION
This is the information available on the avian flu possible emergency. There are links to many other sites within those documents.
WRSC has appointed 5 Emergency HPAI Coordinators to liaise with NPWS and DPI on updates, information, procedures, rescues, etc. - Jenny Packwood, Cheryl Alexandru, Judy Bailey, Lisa Hood in Central areas and Kristen Vickery in FSC area.
We will be updating this page as information is updated.
WRSC has appointed 5 Emergency HPAI Coordinators to liaise with NPWS and DPI on updates, information, procedures, rescues, etc. - Jenny Packwood, Cheryl Alexandru, Judy Bailey, Lisa Hood in Central areas and Kristen Vickery in FSC area.
We will be updating this page as information is updated.
IMPORTANT: H5N! preparedness webinar and workshop for the wildlife rehabilitation sector
Invitation to avian influenza H5N1 preparedness webinar and workshop for the wildlife rehabilitation sector
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is hosting a webinar and a workshop for the wildlife rehabilitation sector. The webinar will provide an update on whole of government preparedness for H5N1. The workshop will provide the opportunity to discuss what wildlife rehabilitation groups and veterinary professionals that support wildlife rehabilitation can do to prepare for a potential incursion to NSW.
Webinar
6.00pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday 11 December
Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e8cf1b85-8ea3-4b9f-bedf-4035eedbe522@96ef8821-2a39-471c-b89a-67b0833dd3b9
Workshop
Interactive workshop to discuss preparedness activities for the wildlife rehabilitation sector and better understand the needs and concerns of the sector.
6.00pm – 8.00pm
Monday 16 December
Register here by midday Friday 13 December: https://forms.office.com/r/pNZ2dkY0XS
Once registered, you will be emailed an invitation to a Teams meeting for the workshop.
Please promote the webinar and workshop through your networks. Feel free to forward this email and share the details on social media.
Background
Australia remains the only continent free from H5N1, a strain of avian influenza causing global concern. This strain has spread rapidly between continents associated with the movement of wild birds.
We must be prepared for the possibility that it could arrive in Australia and that is why there is a strong focus on preparedness activities.
This webinar provides an update for the NSW wildlife rehabilitation sector on whole of government preparedness for H5N1 avian influenza, including advice on what can be done to prepare for a potential incursion to NSW.
Further details to follow.
Invitation to avian influenza H5N1 preparedness webinar and workshop for the wildlife rehabilitation sector
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is hosting a webinar and a workshop for the wildlife rehabilitation sector. The webinar will provide an update on whole of government preparedness for H5N1. The workshop will provide the opportunity to discuss what wildlife rehabilitation groups and veterinary professionals that support wildlife rehabilitation can do to prepare for a potential incursion to NSW.
Webinar
6.00pm – 7.30pm
Wednesday 11 December
Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/e8cf1b85-8ea3-4b9f-bedf-4035eedbe522@96ef8821-2a39-471c-b89a-67b0833dd3b9
Workshop
Interactive workshop to discuss preparedness activities for the wildlife rehabilitation sector and better understand the needs and concerns of the sector.
6.00pm – 8.00pm
Monday 16 December
Register here by midday Friday 13 December: https://forms.office.com/r/pNZ2dkY0XS
Once registered, you will be emailed an invitation to a Teams meeting for the workshop.
Please promote the webinar and workshop through your networks. Feel free to forward this email and share the details on social media.
Background
Australia remains the only continent free from H5N1, a strain of avian influenza causing global concern. This strain has spread rapidly between continents associated with the movement of wild birds.
We must be prepared for the possibility that it could arrive in Australia and that is why there is a strong focus on preparedness activities.
This webinar provides an update for the NSW wildlife rehabilitation sector on whole of government preparedness for H5N1 avian influenza, including advice on what can be done to prepare for a potential incursion to NSW.
Further details to follow.
UPDATE 13/11/24
IMPORTANT: shearwater mortalities and H5 bird flu precautions.
Purpose
We write with an update for wildlife rehabilitators on shearwater mortalities and H5 bird flu precautions.
This information has been endorsed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) as the lead for biosecurity preparedness in NSW. NPWS has dedicated a role to H5 bird flu preparedness since early September to ensure our efforts are aligned with the whole of government approach and to consider the needs of our staff, visitors and key stakeholders.
Shearwater mortalities and H5 bird flu precautions
Many of you will be aware that the shearwater migration is well underway, and that NSW is again experiencing a significant number of shearwater mortalities along the coast.
Shearwater mortality events typically coincide with unusually warm sea temperatures in the East Australian Current. Shearwaters rely on food resources such krill, crustaceans, squid and fish and warm sea temperatures on the continental shelf can push their preferred diet further offshore leading to starvation events. The NSW Government is working with research institutions to better understand the impacts of rising ocean temperatures and impacts on biodiversity.
Rehabilitation and recovery of shearwaters depleted following their long migration is extremely difficult and mortality is very high, even when taken into care. Birds may be suffering emaciation, dehydration or cellular-level decline, all of which are very difficult to reverse and treat.
While Australia currently remains free of the strain of H5 bird flu causing mass wildlife mortalities overseas, it is important that we are all vigilant for potential outbreaks. Wildlife rehabilitators can play a key role in early detection, but it is vital you know what to look for, how to report and how to keep yourselves safe. Here is some important information:
What is bird flu?
Bird flu is a disease that affects birds (wild and domestic) around the world. There are many types of bird flu, but H5 bird flu is a serious and highly contagious strain that has killed millions of wild birds and mammals overseas. While not yet detected here, it is expected that H5 bird flu will eventually be carried to Australia, most likely by migrating sea and shorebirds from the northern hemisphere.
Overseas outbreaks show that if H5 bird flu reaches Australia, it is likely to have significant impacts on our wildlife and agriculture industry, especially poultry. The flow on effects to communities are also likely to be significant.
Surveillance and testing
Testing of shearwater carcasses has been undertaken and there is no indication that the deaths are a result of H5 bird flu.
Due to heightened concern for a potential introduction of H5 bird flu into Australia, The National Avian Influenza Wild Bird (NAIWB) Surveillance Program is coordinating both targeted and general surveillance for H5 bird flu among wild birds. In addition, the NSW Department of Planning Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is continuously monitoring reports of shearwater and other bird mortalities received by the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) hotline.
Sampling and testing for H5 bird flu and other notifiable diseases is a cornerstone of NSW’s emergency animal disease surveillance system and will be ongoing as more reports are received and more locations are identified. DPIRD has a surveillance design in place in response to shearwater mortalities that samples across:
Keeping safe interacting with wildlife
The NSW government does not recommend anyone handle shearwaters. If you need to handle wildlife, you should wear PPE when handling sick or dead wildlife under any circumstances. At a minimum, this would include gloves, respiratory protection and safety glasses.
NSW Health has advice for those interacting with wildlife at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/be-careful-around-wildlife.aspx
Reporting advice for wildlife rehabilitators
All other birds
AVOID contact with birds showing signs of H5 bird flu
RECORD time, date, location and other information, such as photos and videos
REPORT signs of disease or 5 or more bird deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888
Where can I get more information?
· Visit birdflu.gov.au or https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ai/h5n1
· HPAI information session for wildlife rehabilitators, 11 July 2024: https://youtu.be/_kNWfqPsz3s *
*while information shared in this webinar is current at the time of writing, please note that it may change over time
· NSW DCCEEW Seabird Identification Guide (2024): https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Native-animals/seabird-identification-guide-240138.pdf
IMPORTANT: shearwater mortalities and H5 bird flu precautions.
Purpose
We write with an update for wildlife rehabilitators on shearwater mortalities and H5 bird flu precautions.
This information has been endorsed by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) as the lead for biosecurity preparedness in NSW. NPWS has dedicated a role to H5 bird flu preparedness since early September to ensure our efforts are aligned with the whole of government approach and to consider the needs of our staff, visitors and key stakeholders.
Shearwater mortalities and H5 bird flu precautions
Many of you will be aware that the shearwater migration is well underway, and that NSW is again experiencing a significant number of shearwater mortalities along the coast.
Shearwater mortality events typically coincide with unusually warm sea temperatures in the East Australian Current. Shearwaters rely on food resources such krill, crustaceans, squid and fish and warm sea temperatures on the continental shelf can push their preferred diet further offshore leading to starvation events. The NSW Government is working with research institutions to better understand the impacts of rising ocean temperatures and impacts on biodiversity.
Rehabilitation and recovery of shearwaters depleted following their long migration is extremely difficult and mortality is very high, even when taken into care. Birds may be suffering emaciation, dehydration or cellular-level decline, all of which are very difficult to reverse and treat.
While Australia currently remains free of the strain of H5 bird flu causing mass wildlife mortalities overseas, it is important that we are all vigilant for potential outbreaks. Wildlife rehabilitators can play a key role in early detection, but it is vital you know what to look for, how to report and how to keep yourselves safe. Here is some important information:
What is bird flu?
Bird flu is a disease that affects birds (wild and domestic) around the world. There are many types of bird flu, but H5 bird flu is a serious and highly contagious strain that has killed millions of wild birds and mammals overseas. While not yet detected here, it is expected that H5 bird flu will eventually be carried to Australia, most likely by migrating sea and shorebirds from the northern hemisphere.
Overseas outbreaks show that if H5 bird flu reaches Australia, it is likely to have significant impacts on our wildlife and agriculture industry, especially poultry. The flow on effects to communities are also likely to be significant.
Surveillance and testing
Testing of shearwater carcasses has been undertaken and there is no indication that the deaths are a result of H5 bird flu.
Due to heightened concern for a potential introduction of H5 bird flu into Australia, The National Avian Influenza Wild Bird (NAIWB) Surveillance Program is coordinating both targeted and general surveillance for H5 bird flu among wild birds. In addition, the NSW Department of Planning Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is continuously monitoring reports of shearwater and other bird mortalities received by the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) hotline.
Sampling and testing for H5 bird flu and other notifiable diseases is a cornerstone of NSW’s emergency animal disease surveillance system and will be ongoing as more reports are received and more locations are identified. DPIRD has a surveillance design in place in response to shearwater mortalities that samples across:
- defined geographical grids; and
- two-week timeframe between testing in any particular grid
Keeping safe interacting with wildlife
The NSW government does not recommend anyone handle shearwaters. If you need to handle wildlife, you should wear PPE when handling sick or dead wildlife under any circumstances. At a minimum, this would include gloves, respiratory protection and safety glasses.
NSW Health has advice for those interacting with wildlife at: https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/factsheets/Pages/be-careful-around-wildlife.aspx
Reporting advice for wildlife rehabilitators
- Shearwaters only: Report 50 or more dead shearwaters to the EAD hotline on 1800 675 888*
*please note that advice to the public remains to report 5 or more bird deaths of any species. Advice regarding
> 50 shearwaters is only for government staff and wildlife rehabilitation groups and will help manage the volume of calls to the EAD hotline. - Shearwaters and other seabirds or waterbirds: if shearwaters are with any number of other seabirds or waterbirds showing signs of illness or death, then a call to the EAD hotline on 1800 675 888 is required.
- Shearwaters and other bird species (other than seabirds or waterbirds): if shearwaters are with 5 or more birds of any species or group (other than those mentioned above) that are showing signs of illness or death, then a call to the EAD hotline on 1800 675 888 is required.
All other birds
AVOID contact with birds showing signs of H5 bird flu
RECORD time, date, location and other information, such as photos and videos
REPORT signs of disease or 5 or more bird deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888
- If the bird is reported as suffering from trauma or injury there is no need to call the EAD hotline. Rehabilitation can be managed as usual.
- The public are advised not to touch sick or dead birds and to keep pets away, including preventing them from mouthing or scavenging birds.
Where can I get more information?
· Visit birdflu.gov.au or https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ai/h5n1
· HPAI information session for wildlife rehabilitators, 11 July 2024: https://youtu.be/_kNWfqPsz3s *
*while information shared in this webinar is current at the time of writing, please note that it may change over time
· NSW DCCEEW Seabird Identification Guide (2024): https://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/-/media/OEH/Corporate-Site/Documents/Animals-and-plants/Native-animals/seabird-identification-guide-240138.pdf
AVIAN FLU - HPAI - H5N1
- avian_influenza___wildlife__world_organisation_for_animal_health.pdf
- high_pathogenicity_avian_influenza_information_-_h5n1_global_outbreak.pdf
- avian_influenza_resources_-_michelle_wille.pdf
- hpai_advice_for_veterinarians_and_animal_health_professionals.pdf
- high_pathogenicity_avian_influenza__hpai__and_wildlife_in_australia_a_risk_mitigation_toolbox_for_wildlife_managers_with_a_focus_on_hpai_h5_2.3.4.4b_-_google_docs.pdf
