Exercise Volare (2024) – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) preparation

Update 4 October

HPAI, Exercise Volare – DAFF update 

Australia is the only continent free from H5 HPAI (clade 2.3.4.4b). The virus has spread rapidly between continents associated with the movement of wild birds and is causing global concern.  

In August and September 2024, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) held a simulation exercise, Exercise Volare. This exercise explored and tested Australia’s response to a fictitious incursion of H5 HPAI in wildlife and involved Australian, state, and territory governments, industry, and non-government groups. Representatives from the AVA attended. 

On Friday 4 October, DAFF shared learnings from Exercise Volare alongside information on the current global HPAI situation. A key theme from the exercise was the continued recognition that H5 HPAI (clade 2.3.4.4b) would have more significant impacts on Australia than previous HPAI incursions into Australia.

Wildlife Health Australia, who spoke at the webinar, shared a helpful slide for what can be currently done: 

^{Source: WHA presentation, Exercise Volare 4 October 20204} 

The AVA will continue to be involved in these exercises and share communications from DAFF and state government departments.  

 Useful links 

 More information on Exercise Volare can be found here. 

DAFF has a dedicated page to house current information: www.birdflu.gov.au. 

Wildlife Australia HPAI has a series of risk mitigation toolboxes 

These are guidance documents which focus on prevention and preparedness for HPAI. They are targeted to those who manage wildlife populations and those who provide care to wildlife in Australia, such as wildlife hospitals, rehabilitation centres, individual rehabilitators, or veterinary clinics. The strategies they describe are relevant to both wild birds and wild mammal populations that might be impacted by HPAI. 

Update 13 September

DAFF, the Australian Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, conducts exercises to help government and industry better prepare for and respond to exotic pest and disease threats. In response to the current global HPAI situation, DAFF is conducting HPAI preparation exercises to inform and manage future HPAI outbreaks in Australia.

‘Exercise Volare’ is being held in August and September 2024. It consists of 3 scenario-based discussions, exercises, and activities focused on the detection of H5N1 high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4b in Australian wildlife.

Angela Scott, President of the Commercial Poultry Vets SIG, attended and represented the AVA. Angela said “The exercise revolved around a hypothetical scenario of a mass mortality event in wildlife in South Australia caused by H5N1 HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b virus. At present, Australia is the last continent that remains free of this virus. Shared experiences of the 2024 HPAI outbreaks in Victoria were also discussed. It was very much a One-Health approach, where representatives of environment, animal health and human health sectors were present. The importance of rapid communication and consistent messaging was a common theme. The need for a centralised body or one focal point of contact to coordinate all the different sectors was also highlighted. Exercises like this are an established part of Australia’s national preparedness and capability arrangements to respond to biosecurity emergencies such as HPAI outbreaks”.

The exercises aim to improve preparedness across agriculture, environment, health portfolios and respective stakeholders to manage future HPAI outbreaks and, more specifically, to inform the management of HPAI H5 across wildlife, livestock industries and health.

Representatives included stakeholders from across government, jurisdictions, key industry, and non-government groups.

A summary of findings from Exercise Volare will be made available on this webpage once complete.