CEO UPDATE
H7 avian influenza response in Victoria
Good news out of Victoria: the H7 avian influenza response has ended, and disease eradication activities have been successful. There have been no new cases of H7N8 high pathogenicity bird flu since late February 2025. Quarantine has been revoked on the four infected properties near Euroa with the control order surrounding the area lifted.
This outcome is a significant step towards re-establishing Australia’s claim to freedom from high-pathogenicity avian influenza. It’s also a testament to the dedication and collaboration of local industry, community and property owners who worked tirelessly to bring the outbreak under control over many months.
Congratulations and thanks to all responders and support staff who delivered this outstanding result.
For the latest response updates, see AgVic and outbreak.gov.au.
AHA General Meeting Summary – 18 June 2025
On 18 June, we held the Animal Health Australia (AHA) General Meeting where members voted on three resolutions concerning subscription funding for the 2025–26 financial year. I’m pleased to say that all resolutions passed successfully.
The meeting was also a chance to discuss our 2025–26 Annual Operating Plan (AOP), with some members providing feedback about changes to financial reporting.
I’d like to thank members for their open and proactive engagement on this matter. We’re in the process of updating the AOP to include additional information on the financial distribution of subscription programs. In addition, we’ll provide members with financial information related to non-subscription programs when available.
World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) 92nd General Session
In May 2025, I had the privilege of representing Australia at the 92nd General Session of the WOAH in Paris. This invitation-only event brought together delegates from 183 member countries to discuss global animal health priorities.
A highlight was the Animal Health Forum, which focused on vaccines and their role in national disease control programs—an essential topic for ensuring both animal health and safe international trade.
Following the session, I travelled to Lyon to visit Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health’s new foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine antigen manufacturing facility. I was warmly welcomed by Dr Audrey Guibal and Dr. Pascal Hudelet, who gave me a tour of the impressive site. This facility stores the antigens for Australia’s FMD vaccine bank, and I was reassured by its readiness to respond swiftly in the event of an outbreak.
This experience reinforced the importance of global collaboration and proactive preparedness in protecting animal health – both in Australia and around the world.
Producers doing it tough
I’d like to take a moment to acknowledge the recent floods in Queensland and New South Wales, and the ongoing drought in South Australia and Victoria. As we all know, severe weather events put immense pressures on businesses, communities and families both financially and emotionally. Our thoughts are with the producers and communities affected by these events.
New appointment — Dr Sally Cook, GM Member Engagement and Technical Services
We’re pleased to welcome Dr Sally Cook, who joined AHA on 23 June 2025 as General Manager, Member Engagement and Technical Services.
Sally has a background in veterinary science and biosecurity and brings extensive leadership and project management experience from roles at Ernst & Young and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
Sally’s leadership and commitment to a positive workplace culture will be a great asset to our team.
With this appointment, our General Manager Team is now complete. I look forward to working together to deliver our new 5-year strategic plan.
Regards
Dr Samantha Allan
Quick links
MEMBER UPDATE
EADRA updates
Categorisation Working Group review
The Categorisation Working Group met on 22 May 2025 to review the categorisation process and the definition of an emergency animal disease (EAD) under the EADRA. Working group members will also review and provide feedback on version 5 of the draft guidance in preparation for the next meeting on 3 July 2025.
Transition to Management Guidance Document
A new EADRA guidance document on Transition to Management has been published and can be downloaded below or from the AHA EADRA web page. The EADRA thanks all parties for their input in the development of this document.
AUSVETPLAN updates
Following a partial review, the Animal Health Committee has endorsed the AUSVETPLAN Response strategy: African swine fever version 5.3. It will now be prepared for publication on the AHA website.
Following a major review, the AUSVETPLAN Response strategy: Classical swine fever has progressed to the AUSVETPLAN Technical Review Group (TRG) for approval.
The updated AUSVETPLAN Response strategy: Bovine spongiform encephalopathy and the new AUSVETPLAN Enterprise manual: Northern Australia beef cattle industry are now with Industry Forum for approval.
As part of the agreed 2025-26 AUSVETPLAN manual workplan, AHA is now working to re-establish the writing group for the AUSVETPLAN Response strategy: Surra, with the review expected to begin in late July 2025.
Exercise Flight Path, a high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) exercise that is part of a Commonwealth-funded HPAI preparedness project, has been postponed and is now scheduled for delivery in October 2025. Final dates are to be confirmed.
Following a major manual update, the TRG is reviewing the AUSVETPLAN Response strategy: Avian influenza. It is expected to progress to Industry Forum in July.
Upcoming AHA training opportunities
NBRT Professional Development Week might be behind us, but there are still plenty of training opportunities in the months ahead. Mark your calendars!
| Event | Date | Location | Target audience | Regos open |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CCEAD Workshop | 24–25 September 2025 | Canberra, ACT | Government & Industry | July 2025 |
| LLI Workshop | October 2025 | TBC, SA | Industry | August 2025 |
| NMG Workshop | March 2026 | Canberra, ACT | Government & Industry | January 2026 |
For more information, please contact the training team at trainingsupport@animalhealthaustralia.com.au
HASTE workshops highlight the power of data-driven decision support
Enhancing Models for Rapid Decision-Support in Emergency Animal Disease Outbreaks (HASTE) is a national project developing modelling tools to assist decision-making during EAD outbreaks.
In May and June 2025, the project team ran two interactive scenario workshops with NSW and QLD biosecurity agencies, using a hypothetical lumpy skin disease outbreak to demonstrate how modelling can support and add confidence to decision-making during a response. Both workshops were very well received, stimulating further interest in collaborating further with the project team.
On 4 June, a stakeholder workshop in Melbourne brought together over 30 experts to help shape the future of HASTE, reinforcing its collaborative and strategic direction.
For more details, see Australian Research Data Commons.
AAPSP Roadshow 2025: Cardiovascular Pathology
From 28 May to 13 June, veterinary pathologists across Australia gathered for the 2025 Australian Animal Pathology Standards Program (AAPSP) Roadshow.
Led by Dr Gisela Martinez-Romero from Tufts University, the event featured workshops in five locations and covered topics from valvular diseases to diseases of the aorta.
It’s awards season
2025 Australian Biosecurity Awards – closing soon!
There are nine award categories, including Farm Biosecurity Producer of the Year, presented by AHA and Plant Health Australia. Nominations close Monday 30 June 2025.
2025 Egg Farmers of Australia Industry Recognition Awards – nominations open
Celebrate excellence in the egg industry. Nominate yourself or a colleague for the EFA Young Egg Industry Achiever of the Year or Industry Leader Excellence award. Nominations close 31 August 2025.
Around the traps
- Control Area lifted after successful response to bird flu outbreak
- Producers encouraged to stay vigilant on livestock health during flood recovery
- Emergency response ability put to the test in Exercise Raintree
- Australia-Indonesia bird flu partnership takes flight on global stage
- Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer fortifying international engagement