NSW Government offers support following H5 bird flu in Western Australia

The case is the first detection of H5 bird flu on the Australian continent, following confirmation by the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness.

While the Western Australian Government is the lead agency NSW Government will provide support in technical or operational areas.

To date, H5 bird flu has not been detected in NSW.

NSW has well developed wildlife surveillance systems to facilitate early detection and there are established national arrangements for responding to incursions of H5 bird flu in wildlife.

If unusual deaths or illness in wild birds are observed please AVOID contact, RECORD by taking photos or video and REPORT immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline on 1800 675 888.

NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty said:

"The NSW Government will work with our colleagues in Western Australia and providing support where we can to ensure that we are doing everything possible to contain the virus.

"NSW has been preparing across government and industry for several years for a H5 avian influenza incursion.

"We are urging the community to report any unusual signs of illness or deaths of multiple birds, especially on the coastline, so we can detect any incursion quickly.

NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Jo Coombe said:

"While the current incursion has only been confirmed in one bird, eradication or containment of H5 bird flu in wildlife is unlikely to be possible if it becomes established in wildlife populations.

"Our focus, if it were to become established would be to minimise risk of onward transmission to commercial poultry, protect human health, where possible minimise impact on the environment, and ensure broader stakeholders are kept informed."

"Australia has a National Management Agreement in place, which establishes the national arrangements for responding to incursions of H5 bird flu in wildlife, were it to become established."