Abstract Title
Softening the landing for Australian wildlife – Wildlife Health Australia’s role in HPAI H5N1 preparedness in Australia
Abstract
Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) is the coordinating body for wildlife health in Australia. The WHA Emergencies Program was established in 2022 with the goal of “working with others to safeguard the health, welfare and biodiversity of Australian wildlife in all emergencies using a collaborative One Health approach.”
The emergence and spread of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b as the dominant global avian influenza strain has seen HPAI outbreaks occur in unprecedented number, frequency and intensity, and in a growing range of wild bird and mammal species. While Australia currently remains free of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, risk of entry increases as its geographic and species range extend.
WHA is actively engaging in national, jurisdictional and local preparedness and planning for the likely emergence of HPAI H5N1 in Australia by:
•being a trusted advisor on HPAI in wildlife, contributing to strategic planning on species prioritisation, integration of wildlife into existing biosecurity frameworks, vaccination and carcass management.
•linking and supporting HPAI preparedness efforts through our extensive wildlife and biosecurity stakeholder networks.
•contributing to workshops, scenario exercises and discussion panels to enable effective alignment of wildlife objectives within H5N1 HPAI preparedness and planning.
•developing a national source of wildlife knowledge and technical support relevant to HPAI, including fact sheets, risk mitigation toolboxes, surveillance networks, and communication guidance.
This presentation describes major outputs and projects through which WHA has played a pivotal role as a strategic partner in preparedness activities for the likely emergence of H5N1 HPAI in Australia.
The emergence and spread of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b as the dominant global avian influenza strain has seen HPAI outbreaks occur in unprecedented number, frequency and intensity, and in a growing range of wild bird and mammal species. While Australia currently remains free of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, risk of entry increases as its geographic and species range extend.
WHA is actively engaging in national, jurisdictional and local preparedness and planning for the likely emergence of HPAI H5N1 in Australia by:
•being a trusted advisor on HPAI in wildlife, contributing to strategic planning on species prioritisation, integration of wildlife into existing biosecurity frameworks, vaccination and carcass management.
•linking and supporting HPAI preparedness efforts through our extensive wildlife and biosecurity stakeholder networks.
•contributing to workshops, scenario exercises and discussion panels to enable effective alignment of wildlife objectives within H5N1 HPAI preparedness and planning.
•developing a national source of wildlife knowledge and technical support relevant to HPAI, including fact sheets, risk mitigation toolboxes, surveillance networks, and communication guidance.
This presentation describes major outputs and projects through which WHA has played a pivotal role as a strategic partner in preparedness activities for the likely emergence of H5N1 HPAI in Australia.
Co-Author(s)
Claire Harrison, Wildlife Health Australia
Keren Cox-Witton, Wildlife Health Australia
Paul Eden, Wildlife Health Australia
Silvia Ban, Wildlife Health Australia
Shana Ahmed, Wildlife Health Australia
Simone Vitali, Wildlife Health Australia
Tiggy Grillo, Wildlife Health Australia
Vicky Wilkinson, Wildlife Health Australia
Abstract Category
Avian influenza in mammals, pandemic preparedness, and one health