South Australians now have a central information source for updates, advice and resources regarding H5 bird flu.
The birdflu.sa.gov.au site comes as the State Government expands major aerial surveillance operations and continues to proactively prepare industries and wildlife for further detections.
The website serves as a single source of information on H5 bird flu in South Australia, bringing together the latest updates, advice and resources for primary producers, veterinarians, wildlife carers and other sectors, as well as the community at-large.
It includes information from experts within all relevant government agencies, including SA Health, the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, and the Department for Environment and Water (DEW).
The website complements the 24/7 Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888), helping to ensure South Australians can access accurate information and advice when they need it.
As part of the statewide response to H5 bird flu, South Australia’s biggest coastal aerial surveillance operation in decades is being expanded even further to include surveys of the River Murray, between Renmark and Murray Bridge.
This follows surveillance flights along the West Coast, Eyre Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and offshore islands, Lower Fleurieu Peninsula, Lower Lakes, Coorong and Limestone Coast all the way to the Victorian border.
Land surveillance led by DEW is also continuing, including patrols of beaches, wetlands and other high-risk locations.
Testing has been undertaken on hundreds of birds and other wildlife identified through surveillance operations, including sealions, building on wide-ranging efforts to monitor and protect the state’s precious wildlife.
As part of these efforts, the State Government is supporting veterinarians and wildlife carers through online training to strengthen preparedness and biosecurity capabilities in those on the frontline of animal care.
The Government is continuing to work with industry to prepare for future detections, with potential management options such as housing orders under consideration to mitigate the risk of the virus spreading from migratory birds to poultry.
Community forums are also being held as part of broader public engagement about the virus, offering South Australians the chance to hear directly from experts and Government ministers on what is being done to respond and prepare for further H5 bird flu detections.
Forums have previously been held at Goolwa, Kangaroo Island and Yorke Peninsula, with upcoming sessions scheduled in:
- Glenelg – Glenelg Surf Life Saving Club, Monday 27 July, 6pm to 7.30pm
- Dublin (east-coast Gulf St Vincent) – Port Parham Sports and Social Club, Thursday 6 August, 6pm to 7.30pm
To register for a forum or for further information, click here.
South Australians are encouraged to continue being vigilant in reporting sick and dead birds and other wildlife, with Emergency Animal Disease Hotline reports having now surpassed 2200 since the first detection of H5 bird flu in Australia.
Out of these reports, more than 250 birds have been tested, with the number of positive detections remaining at five as of Monday 20 July.
There are currently no detections of H5 bird flu in poultry and no evidence of mass mortalities in wildlife anywhere in Australia.
To report a potentially infected bird, contact the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline (1800 675 888). For information, advice and resources about H5 bird flu, visit birdflu.sa.gov.au
