Free NSW HPAI Workshops for Veterinarians and Veterinary Nurses

In the last few years, H5N1 avian influenza has affected populations of wild and domestic animal species globally.  The disease continues to pose a risk to many threatened and protected Australian wildlife species, as well as poultry and non-poultry industries (such as the dairy industry) as well as human health. Whilst it has not yet been detected in Australia, surveillance and preparedness activities have been ongoing to ensure we are ready to mitigate the effects of an incursion in wildlife. 

The current preparedness activities undertaken by NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) and other NSW agencies include ensuring that capacity and capability for detection in wildlife is maximised, by providing training to private veterinarians and nurses in wild bird handling, sampling and euthanasia. There is a particular focus on coastal regions of NSW during the shearwater migration season in Spring, as the migratory routes for these birds originate in areas where H5N1 is known to be present.

The Australian Registry for Wildlife Health and DPIRD are hosting a series of in-person workshops in August and September in coastal areas of NSW to provide training for private veterinarians and vet nurses in handling, sampling and humane euthanasia of wild birds. The workshops will run for 4 hours. The attendees will form an important part of NSW’s early detection system and may be called on by DPIRD to follow up on reports of sick or dead wild birds.

If you are interested in joining a frontline group tasked with ensuring the early detection of H5N1 in NSW, we invite you to submit your expression of interest in attending a workshop near you.  Please complete the EOI form at https://forms.office.com/r/bpA0eMrUhC.  For further information, please contact DPIRD Jannene Geoghegan, Senior Policy and Projects Officer on 0429 943 889.

Why is H5N1 different to other strains of avian influenza?

The HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b strain has been detected in wildlife on every continent other than Australia. This clade is different to every significant H5N1 that has been detected in recent history in that it infects a wide range of birds and mammals, across wild and domestic species (including infections in dairy cows, domestic cats, goats and pigs).

An incursion of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b in Australia has the potential to cause widespread death and disease in multiple avian species including wild birds, pet birds, commercial poultry, but may also significantly impact our native mammals, commercial mammal specials, domestic pets and zoo animals.

While NSW DPIRD and support agencies will lead the emergency response to a potential H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b outbreak in NSW, private vets and vet nurses may be required to provide support services to their clinic staff, clients and the general public. This may include euthanasia or treatment of domestic and wildlife species which may be affected by the virus, communication about the disease (such as human health risks, use of PPE, carcass disposal) to their clients and the general public who may contact the clinic.