00:00The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has confirmed the H5
00:04high pathogenic AVN influenza in the brown skewer in Western Australia, but
00:09further testing has now confirmed that we also have the H5 bird flu in the
00:13northern giant Petrel found in the same region. So I want to reiterate that this
00:18is two birds that have been found with the H5 bird flu in an isolated area of
00:24Western Australia. I also want to reiterate at this time there are no, there
00:29is no evidence of any mass mortalities, particularly in our wildlife. I also want
00:34to reiterate that our poultry system and our agricultural systems remain free
00:39from the H5 bird flu. This is very important particularly in terms of our
00:44training partners. It's also important that I reiterate that there is a low
00:49risk to human health when it comes to the H5 bird flu. As I think most Australians
00:53now know we are the only continent in the world that until now has not had this
00:58strain on our shores. And what that has meant is that it has given us time as a
01:03country to ensure that we are as well prepared as we possibly can be for the
01:08time when this strain eventually reached our shores. It's important to remember
01:12that at this point in time we only have two confirmed cases, but we don't
01:17underplay the threat that this poses to wildlife and our agriculture sector in
01:21Australia should this become a wider outbreak. And that's why since those
01:26detections late last week, all of the relevant plans to deal with this incident,
01:31all of the relevant committees have met, everything has been enacted because we've
01:35done the work with states and territories, with industry, with environment
01:39groups to make sure that we're ready for when Australia did have its first
01:43detection of this strain. As you've heard previously, our government has funded
01:49$113 million worth of preparedness activities, including $11 million in the
01:54federal budget.
01:55Hoping for the best, preparing for the worst. And being overprepared here is
02:01obviously key to making sure that we can respond to any biosecurity threat.
02:05Can also commend the Western Australian community and their vigilance in relation to early detection
02:10of any outbreaks. The fact that these two particular specimens were found and acted upon, it just really
02:22is so commendable in relation to the actions of those two individuals, which now means we are in
02:29possession of the information that we need to stand up the protocols to respond as we need to do.
02:35My government has stood up a hotline for people to report any concerns or activity that they see
02:45in local wildlife or agricultural animals, just to make sure that we've got the very best
02:55opportunity for continued early detection.
Comments