• Member update
• Resource of the month
• Upcoming events
• Recent publications

CEO UPDATE

H5 bird flu update

H5 bird flu detections in Australia continue to rise, including our first mass mortality event on the southeast coast of South Australia.

To date, all confirmed detections remain limited to wildlife, with no detections in poultry or Australia’s agricultural system.

Heightened biosecurity measures are being implemented across the Australian poultry industry to reduce the risk of H5 bird flu and strengthen preparedness.

On 7 August, Victoria introduced temporary poultry housing requirements in higher-risk areas. This requirement will initially apply for 14 days. For details, see Agriculture Victoria.

On 17 August, Victoria also confirmed a detection in a little penguin from Phillip Island. More than 5,000 little penguins at Phillip Island and St Kilda are expected to be vaccinated against H5 bird flu starting this week.

As H5 bird flu becomes more widespread across Australia, testing and reporting every individual affected bird may not always be the best way to understand the overall situation. Moving forward, the focus will be on investigations and key events to provide a clearer picture of where H5 bird flu is occurring, which species are affected, and how the situation is evolving. For the latest national information visit birdflu.gov.au.

While the rise in cases is concerning, they are consistent with overseas experience and reinforce the importance of the planning and preparedness work undertaken over recent years.

I want to acknowledge the significant contribution being made by governments, industry, veterinarians, researchers, wildlife organisations and community members supporting surveillance and response efforts. This includes AHA’s Head of Program AUSVETPLAN, Andrew Larkins, who recently supported response activities in Western Australia.

AHA continues to work closely with partners through established national coordination arrangements to support response capabilities. As always, we encourage producers to keep biosecurity plans up to date and stringently implemented.     

National Biosecurity Week highlights the value of action

National Biosecurity Week is on again from 24-30 August. Now in its third year, the national initiative is the perfect time to recognise the role biosecurity plays in protecting Australia’s animals, environment, food supply, economy and way of life.

Remember to register for Member Engagement Week

Our next Member Engagement Week is happening on 14-17 September in Canberra.  

This event will be particularly special as we celebrate 30 years of Animal Health Australia. While much has changed over the past three decades, our success has always been built on strong partnerships and a shared commitment to protecting Australia’s animal health and biosecurity.

I look forward to seeing you there to reflect on what we’ve achieved together and continue important conversations about our collective future.

Registrations close 28 August 2026.

One Health in action

Earlier this month, Animal Health Australia joined partners at the Friends of One Health event at Parliament House.

The event reflected the growing recognition that the health of people, animals and the environment is interconnected.

Attendees heard from a panel of experts including Prof Zoe Wainer, Director General of the Australian Centre for Disease Control; Dr Tiggy Grillo, Chief Operating Officer of Wildlife Health Australia; and Tiahni Adamson, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Manager at Bush Heritage Australia.

The discussion highlighted the importance of collaboration, trust, prevention, data sharing and Indigenous knowledge in strengthening Australia’s preparedness for future health and biosecurity challenges.

Thank you to Wildlife Health Australia (WHA) for hosting the event helping bring together experts and decision-makers to discuss this important work.

Regards

Dr Samantha Allan

• CEO update
• EAD training update
• EADRA update
• HPAI preparedness report
• LLI Network Project
• National Biosecurity Week 2026
• Resource of the month
• Upcoming events
• Recent publications

MEMBER UPDATE

EAD training update

Upcoming AHA training opportunities

Event	Date	Location	Audience	Regos
CCEAD Training Exercise	16–17 September 2026	Canberra, ACT	Govt & industry	Closed
LLI Training	TBC, October 2026	TBC, NSW	Industry	Open late August 2026
LLI Training	TBC, April 2027	TBC, Vic	Industry	Open February 2027

Industry members in New South Wales and Victoria should review their current LLI representatives and identify potential participants for upcoming workshops.

The LLI Maintenance Guidelines and the LLI Checklist can help with reviewing current networks and identifying new candidates.

For more information or to nominate participants, contact the AHA Training Team at trainingsupport@animalhealthaustralia.com.au.

Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases (CCEAD) Training Exercise

Registrations are now closed for the CCEAD Training Exercise on 16–17 September as part of Member Engagement Week.

If you would like to attend but did not submit a registration, please contact trainingsupport@animalhealthaustralia.com.au as soon as possible.

For more information about the CCEAD, read the CCEAD and NMG Information Guide.

EADRA update

The EADRA workshop will be held on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, during Member Engagement Week. 

The agenda will focus on program progress, the upcoming EADRA five-year review, key outputs from current working groups, and consideration of a proposed project.