New hub for bird flu info as state response continues

A new website has been launched as a central information source for South Australians to access the latest updates, advice and resources about H5 bird flu.

It comes as the Malinauskas Government expands major aerial surveillance operations and continues to proactively prepare industries and wildlife for further detections.

The new birdflu.sa.gov.au website serves as a single source of information on H5 bird flu in South Australia, bringing together the latest updates, advice and resources for primary producers, veterinarians, wildlife carers and other sectors, as well as the community at-large.

From today the link will take people to a one-stop-shop source of information from experts within all relevant government agencies, including SA Health, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), and the Department for Environment and Water (DEW).

The website complements the 24/7 Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888), helping to ensure South Australians can access accurate information and advice when they need it.

Ensuring the public is informed and engaged has been an important part of the Malinauskas Government’s commitment to working alongside vigilant South Australians to keep our poultry industry and native wildlife safe and prepared.

As part of the statewide response to H5 bird flu, South Australia’s biggest coastal aerial surveillance operation in decades is being expanded even further this week to include surveys of the River Murray, between Renmark and Murray Bridge.

This follows surveillance flights over the past week along the West Coast, Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and offshore islands, Lower Fleurieu Peninsula, Lower Lakes, Coorong and Limestone Coast – all the way to the Victorian border. Aerial surveys have now been completed over more than 12,000 kilometres.

Land surveillance led by DEW is also continuing, including patrols of beaches, wetlands and other high-risk locations, as well as coastal areas not covered under aerial surveillance such as the Yorke Peninsula.

Testing has been undertaken on hundreds of birds and other wildlife identified through surveillance operations, including sealions, building on wide-ranging efforts to monitor and protect the state’s precious wildlife.

As part of these efforts, the Malinauskas Government is supporting veterinarians and wildlife carers through online training to strengthen preparedness and biosecurity capabilities in those on the frontline of animal care.

This training is aimed at helping participants identify and respond to suspected H5 bird flu cases, including disease recognition, risk assessment, reporting procedures, personal protective equipment, biosecurity practices and the safe handling of animals and carcasses.

The Government is continuing to work with industry to prepare for future detections, with potential management options such as housing orders under consideration to mitigate the risk of the virus spreading from migratory birds to poultry.

Community forums are also being held as part of broader public engagement about the virus, offering South Australians the chance to hear directly from experts and Government ministers on what is being done to respond and prepare for further H5 bird flu detections.

Forums have previously been held at Goolwa and on Kangaroo Island, with upcoming sessions scheduled in:

• Yorketown – Yorketown Town Hall – Wednesday 22 July, 6pm to 7.30pm
• Glenelg – Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club – Monday 27 July, 6pm to 7.30pm
• Dublin (east-coast Gulf St Vincent) – Port Parham Sports and Social Club – Thursday 6 August, 6pm to 7.30pm.

Further community forums will be announced via birdflu.sa.gov.au.

South Australians are encouraged to continue being vigilant in reporting sick and dead birds and other wildlife, with Emergency Animal Disease Hotline reports having now surpassed 2,200 since the first detection of H5 bird flu in Australia.

Out of these reports, more than 250 birds have been tested, with the number of positive detections remaining at five as of Monday, 20 July.

There are currently no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry and no evidence of mass mortalities in wildlife anywhere in Australia.

For information, advice and resources about H5 bird flu, visit birdflu.sa.gov.au