On 22 May 2024, the World Health Organization (WHO) was notified of a laboratory-confirmed case of human infection with avian influenza A(H5N1) virus (clade 2.3.2.1a) by the International Health Regulations (IHR) National Focal Point (NFP) of Australia. This is the first confirmed human infection caused by avian influenza A(H5N1) virus detected and reported by Australia.
In 2024, Australia experienced significant challenges with avian influenza, primarily involving highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strains. The outbreaks were reported in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, with H7N3 and H7N9 strains affecting egg farms in Victoria and H7N8 impacting poultry in NSW and the ACT.
Unusually, this outbreak occurred with 3 different strains at the same time as the first human contamination. We need to go 2 months without detection to be considered free of avian influenza.
Despite these outbreaks, Australia has managed to avoid the devastating H5N1 strain, which has caused widespread issues globally. This strain, first identified in China in 1996, has led to massive bird deaths and human infections across multiple continents. The H5N1 virus is highly pathogenic and can infect a variety of species, including wild birds and mammals. Human cases, though rare, have been reported, leading to severe illness and fatalities.
Australia's relative safety from H5N1 is attributed to its geographic isolation and stringent biosecurity measures. The country employs extensive surveillance and rapid response strategies to detect and manage avian influenza outbreaks.
This includes testing migratory birds and domestic poultry, as well as imposing strict import controls to prevent the introduction of infected birds and poultry products.
Overall, while Australia has effectively contained current avian flu outbreaks, vigilance and robust biosecurity remain critical to prevent the introduction of more virulent strains like H5N1.
Preventing bird flu involves a combination of biosecurity measures, surveillance, vaccination, and public awareness. Here are some key strategies:
Signs of disease usually appear in several or all birds in a flock, including:
Public Awareness and Education
Avian Flu is fatal in chickens.
Currently, there is no vaccination against Avian Flu for use in Australia or USA, however, other countries are trialling them.
Inappropriate use of vaccination in poultry to try to prevent the spread of bird flu has become part of the problem and has serious human health implications, officials of the World Health Organization warned this week. “Vaccination can sometimes cause silent transmission of infection from asymptomatic birds. Mass vaccination programmes entail people tramping around the countryside from farm to farm and they can spread the disease with them. The first response must be culling,” said Peter Cordingley, WHO's spokesman in Manila.
