- Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory
Group established to support disease preparedness and
response
- Group will provide advice
on wildlife sector capability, capacity and emerging priorities
- New forum will strengthen
collaboration between the Government and the wildlife sector
- Reinforces Cook Labor Government's
commitment to protecting and restoring Western Australia's environment
The
Cook Labor Government has set up the Bird Flu Wildlife Advisory Group to
strengthen collaboration with the wildlife sector and support Western
Australia's preparedness and response to the disease.
The
group will bring together representatives from the wildlife sector,
conservation groups, veterinarians, local government and State
Government agencies to give strategic advice on wildlife impacts, sector
capability, capacity and emerging priorities.
It
will provide a dedicated forum for wildlife organisations to share their
expertise, identify emerging issues and help inform the State's ongoing
approach to managing bird flu.
Operational
decisions will continue to be managed through established emergency management
structures, led by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional
Development (DPIRD).
David
McFerran will chair the group, bringing significant experience in environmental
governance and management in Western Australia.
While
WA remains free of any detected local transmission, the risk of further spread
among wild birds remains. The Cook Labor Government is continuing to strengthen
preparedness and response measures to manage future detections and protect the State's
wildlife.
This
includes:
- Regular engagement with the poultry industry, local
governments, veterinarians and wildlife rehabilitators, including webinars held
since H5 bird flu was first detected in Western Australia;
- Enhanced surveillance and testing across the State,
supported by trained field teams, expanded laboratory capacity and increased
supplies of sampling equipment and personal protective equipment;
- Additional training for response personnel in safe
sampling techniques, biosecurity procedures and the correct use of personal
protective equipment;
- Divisional Commands established in Perth,
Esperance, Albany, Bunbury and Geraldton to coordinate regional operations,
with additional capability in northern Western Australia ready to be activated
if required;
- Increased surveillance capacity across the
metropolitan area, South West, Great Southern, Wheatbelt and Mid West,
including joint DPIRD and DBCA monitoring at priority coastal and island
locations;
- Vessels and field teams deployed to locations
including Lancelin and Edwards Islands to monitor wildlife populations and
identify signs of illness or unusual mortality;
- A central bird flu website and weekly public
updates providing clear information and helping Western Australians contribute
to early detection;
- A stakeholder communications toolkit providing
consistent, practical information for industry, community organisations and
other partners to share through their networks; and
- Regular engagement with the Consultative Committee
on Emergency Animal Diseases and the National Management Group.
Everyone has a role to play in surveillance
of H5 bird flu. Anyone who sees sick or dead birds or marine mammals should avoid
and not handle the animals but record and take photos or a video and report to
the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Comments
attributed to the Environment Minister Matthew Swinbourn:
"The
wildlife sector is an essential part of H5 bird flu surveillance and response.
"This advisory group will provide a mechanism
for two-way communication between the Government and the wildlife sector, so we
can better align sector needs and capabilities.
"By drawing on the experience of the wildlife
sector, we can strengthen preparedness arrangements, improve coordination and
support better outcomes for Western Australia's wildlife."
Comments attributed to Agriculture and Food Minister
Jackie Jarvis:
"Wildlife rehabilitators and conservation
organisations have already made an important contribution to surveillance and
early detection of H5 bird flu in Western Australia.
"This new advisory group will build on that
work by giving the wildlife sector a direct role in identifying emerging issues
and helping shape the State's ongoing response.
"We are acting early to prepare for further
detections, protect our native wildlife and reduce the risk to poultry."
