NATIONAL H5 AVIAN INFLUENZA CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED

By Jessica Dempster

A new national information campaign has been launched to help Australians respond to the threat of H5 avian influenza.

The Federal Government says the campaign will provide practical advice on protecting wildlife, poultry and pets, including recognising signs of the disease and avoiding contact with sick or dead birds.

People are also being encouraged to continue reporting suspected cases through the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline and take precautions to protect backyard poultry and pets.

The campaign will run across television, digital, radio and social media, as part of the Government’s more than 270-million-dollar H5 avian influenza preparedness and response program.

There have been 652 H5 avian influenza events nationally and more than 51,000 calls to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.

However, there have been no detections in Australian poultry or the agricultural production system, and the risk to human health remains low.

Australians can access further advice at birdflu.gov.au.