❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the detection of avian influenza strains (H9N2 in WA and H7N3 in Victoria) and seeks information on biosecurity measures and resource allocation by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). The Minister outlines measures taken and considers Victorian response appropriate.
AnsweredQoN 563Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
AVIAN INFLUENZA
563. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I
refer to the detection of the H9N2 strain of avian influenza at a chicken farm
in the south west of Western Australia and the cases of the H7N3 strain
found in Victoria.
(1) Can the
minister please outline what measures are being taken by the Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development as a result of the H9N2 detection?
(2) Can the
minister please outline what biosecurity safeguards are being implemented to
protect Western Australian chicken and egg producers from the H7N3 strain?
(3) How many FTEs, and from which
agencies, are assigned to the measures in (1) and (2)?
563. Hon COLIN de GRUSSA to the Minister for Agriculture and
Food:
I
refer to the detection of the H9N2 strain of avian influenza at a chicken farm
in the south west of Western Australia and the cases of the H7N3 strain
found in Victoria.
(1) Can the
minister please outline what measures are being taken by the Department of
Primary Industries and Regional Development as a result of the H9N2 detection?
(2) Can the
minister please outline what biosecurity safeguards are being implemented to
protect Western Australian chicken and egg producers from the H7N3 strain?
(3) How many FTEs, and from which
agencies, are assigned to the measures in (1) and (2)?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) Low
pathogenic strains of avian influenza, such as H9N2, found at one south west
farm are known to occur in wild bird populations in Australia and occasionally
infect poultry. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
has been working with the affected poultry operation and the Department of
Health to manage the detection on the property and reduce the likelihood of
spread. This has included regulatory movement controls and implementation of
additional biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of new introduction from
wild birds.
(2) The detection
of high pathogenic avian influenza H7N3 in Victoria is significantly different
from the detection of the low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 in WA. DPIRD has
reviewed the measures i mplemented as part of
the response strategy to contain and eradicate the disease in the affected
jurisdiction and considers the Victorian response arrangements,
including housing orders, quarantines, destruction and disposal of infected animals on infected properties and widespread
surveillance, appropriate to minimise the risk of spread from the
control areas to WA.
(3) The response
to avian influenza in the south west has included a small incident management
team led by the WA Chief Veterinary Officer, with staff across policy,
operational, epidemiology and laboratory roles contributing to an effective
response.
some notice of the question.
(1) Low
pathogenic strains of avian influenza, such as H9N2, found at one south west
farm are known to occur in wild bird populations in Australia and occasionally
infect poultry. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development
has been working with the affected poultry operation and the Department of
Health to manage the detection on the property and reduce the likelihood of
spread. This has included regulatory movement controls and implementation of
additional biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of new introduction from
wild birds.
(2) The detection
of high pathogenic avian influenza H7N3 in Victoria is significantly different
from the detection of the low pathogenic avian influenza H9N2 in WA. DPIRD has
reviewed the measures i mplemented as part of
the response strategy to contain and eradicate the disease in the affected
jurisdiction and considers the Victorian response arrangements,
including housing orders, quarantines, destruction and disposal of infected animals on infected properties and widespread
surveillance, appropriate to minimise the risk of spread from the
control areas to WA.
(3) The response
to avian influenza in the south west has included a small incident management
team led by the WA Chief Veterinary Officer, with staff across policy,
operational, epidemiology and laboratory roles contributing to an effective
response.
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