Documents Relating To Bird Flu In Native Wildlife.

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This briefing addresses Australian Government preparedness for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in native wildlife and domestic poultry. Current policy defaults to containment and eradication without vaccination for poultry outbreaks, a practice maintained in past Australian incidents despite overseas use of vaccines. The department is exploring vaccination feasibility for wildlife, with trials underway in New Zealand and the US for threatened species. Trade concerns prevent adoption of vaccination in QUADs alliance countries due to World Animal Health Organisation surveillance requirements. Animal Health Australia has been commissioned to identify potential commercial poultry vaccines as part of broader HPAI preparedness. An interdepartmental meeting between Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water clarified roles in national wildlife preparedness and response arrangements for H5 HPAI, particularly regarding risk management in wildlife populations.