October 16, 2024

Australia invests additional US$63.7 million to fight avian influenza

The Australian government is investing an additional AUD 95 million (US$63.7 million) to further prepare and protect Australia against a strain of avian influenza that carries significant risks for the country's agricultural industries, wildlife, and its economy.

Australia is the only continent that remains free from high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1, but its rapid global spread has led to significant impacts in poultry, wild birds, and some mammal species, including respiratory illness, reduction in egg production and sudden death.

The announcement will see AUD 37 million (US$24.8 million) invested in initiatives to protect Australian agriculture. This includes AUD 15 million (US$10 million) to increase national biosecurity response capability and improve surveillance with key partners including the states and territories, AUD 5 million (US$3.3 million) to boost biosecurity and scientific capability, including procuring vaccines for use in some captive threatened bird species, and up to AUD $10 million (US$6.7 million) invested in nationally coordinated communications to ensure the Australian community is informed, prepared, and protected.

The new funding announced today builds on Australia's strong national biosecurity arrangements and is on top of more than AUD 1 billion (US$671 million) of additional biosecurity funding announced in the 2023 Budget, including AUD 845 million (US$567 million) to support operations across the country.

It is also in addition to the previous announcement of AUD 6.9 million (US$4.6 million) to enhance national preparedness and response capability for a potential HPAI H5N1 incursion in Australia.

-      Australia Department of Health and Aged Care