The Invasive Species Council welcomes the Albanese government’s commitment of over $100 million to combat the threat of deadly H5N1 bird flu. With $35.9 million allocated specifically to protect vulnerable wildlife and biodiversity, this funding marks a monumental step towards preventing what government officials are warning could be ‘the worst ecological disaster Australia has ever seen’.
Invasive Species Council Advocacy Director Jack Gough said: ‘This is incredible news. The Albanese government is finally investing a serious amount into preparation for what could be the worst environmental disaster in Australia’s history.
‘This level of funding will allow departments to get on with the job of properly preparing to save wildlife and stop extinctions if the deadly bird flu hits our shores.
‘We will not be able to stop this disease from arriving but we know that vaccination, carcass removal and stopping disturbance can reduce death rates and save species like Tassie devils, sea lions and black swans.
‘Environment groups have been calling for this and it is excellent to see the government has listened, with great engagement behind the scenes.
‘Of course, this is only a down payment for preparedness and more funding will be required if this disease does hit our shores.
‘At the upcoming emergency environment ministers meeting on bird flu this Friday we are hopeful that clear preparation milestones are agreed to and that the work on identifying and developing preparedness plans for high-risk species and locations is accelerated.
‘This sets a really important precedent. Too often the environment is forgotten or neglected when it comes to biosecurity. This should be the first step in a monumental change in the way that environment biosecurity threats are managed in Australia.’
Invasive Species Council Principal Policy Analyst, Dr Carol Booth said: ‘We’ve been campaigning for over a year to get the government to prepare for the looming H5N1 catastrophe. Last year, we released a detailed preparedness document, outlining the urgent steps needed to protect our wildlife from this deadly disease.
‘Since arriving in South America in late 2022, bird flu has killed more than 30,000 South American sea lions, 17,000 southern elephant seal pups and at least 650,000 native birds, including 40% of Peru’s pelicans.
‘It’s a relief that there is now the funding needed for Australia to properly prepare to do as much as we can to protect our precious wildlife from this destructive disease.’
Background:
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This $100 million of federal funding includes $7 million to enhance wild bird surveillance and $10 million in nationally coordinated communications – both of which the Invasive Species Council has been calling on governments to deliver.
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In April 2023 the Invasive Species Council developed a comprehensive set of recommendations to the Australian Government to prepare for the arrival of high pathogenicity avian influenza H5N1 in wildlife populations. Recommendations include:
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establishment of a national taskforce
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development of a national wildlife response plan
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increased surveillance in wild bird populations, including collaboration with indigenous rangers, birdwatchers, land managers and researchers, particularly in remote locations.
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provision of resources to assist in the preparation of local response plans for managers of sites with high concentrations of shorebirds, waterbirds or seabirds.
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Longer term, Australia needs more effective national arrangements for responding to national wildlife emergencies. Under Australia’s national environmental law (the EPBC Act) we have a threat abatement system and national plans for addressing major chronic threats such as feral cats and pigs but we don’t have a national system for addressing rapidly emerging new threats (except if they can be eradicated – e.g. fire ants). This is one of many reforms needed for our national environmental laws to become fit for purpose.
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Research shows removing and disposing of dead birds can help stop the spread
Australian H5N1 bird flu risk assessment
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The Australian Government commissioned a risk assessment of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) which was released in July 2023.
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The assessment found that the risk of ‘HPAI virus exposure and establishment in resident wild birds’ is ‘moderate/high’ and that the impact of this would be ‘catastrophic’, leading to an overall risk of ‘high’.
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Some key findings from this assessment include:
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Extrapolating from global outbreaks of HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, there are likely to be significant consequences associated with incursion and establishment of HPAI in Australia via wild birds given a moderate likelihood of incursions.
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The frequency of HPAI incursions into Australia via wild birds may be significantly lower compared with other continents and as a result, containment of outbreaks may be more achievable in the Australian context if they are identified early.
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Consequences to wild birds are assessed as CATASTROPHIC with moderate uncertainty, consequences to poultry are assessed as HIGH with moderate uncertainty and consequences to wild mammals are assessed as MINOR with moderate uncertainty.
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In multiple outbreaks the scale of mortality has been extremely high, often involving deaths of 100s, 1,000s or 10,000s of individuals with significant proportions of birds, resulting in mortality globally estimated to be in the millions.
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The Australian black swan has recently been determined to be highly susceptible.
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Impacts overseas
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From Oct 2021-April 2023, more than 335 species of wild birds were impacted in 8,403 reported wild bird outbreaks globally.
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Since arriving in South America in late 2022, bird flu has killed more than 30,000 South American sea lions, 17,000 southern elephant seal pups and unknown numbers of porpoises, dolphins and otters, as well as at least 650,000 native birds.
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The mortality rate of elephant seal pups in Argentina’s Península Valdés reached 95% in 2023 compared to only 1% in 2022.
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Mass mortality events have been observed in penguins and skuas since bird flu arrived in Antarctica in early 2024. The virus arrived at the end of the breeding season for birds and mammals, so even greater impact is expected in the warmer months.
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In the UK, H5N1 has wiped out about 30% of the country’s breeding population of roseate terns, great skua and gannets.
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Since 2020, there have been outbreaks in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, South America and Antarctica – Australia remains the only continent free of high pathogenicity avian influenza.
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Humans and other mammals can become infected through contact with live or dead infected animals, or contaminated environments. Current strains of avian influenza do not appear to transmit between humans.
What to look out for
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The public should report any unusual bird deaths immediately by calling the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
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Wildlife Health Australia have produced detailed advice for people who encounter sick or dead wild birds.
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Look for:
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Small groups or clusters (5 or more) of sick or dead wild birds of any species.
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Individual or less than 5 sick or dead wild seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds or birds of prey (e.g. eagles, hawks)
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Infected live birds may show a wide range of signs if they are sick, including:
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lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles
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twisted necks or other unusual posture
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inability to stand or fly
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diarrhoea
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difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
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swelling around the head, neck and eyes
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cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes.
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