National Management Group Communiqué
High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H7 – 04 February 2025
On 4 February 2025, the National Management Group (NMG) agreed that the 2024 eradication programs for high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H7 had been successful.
The NMG would like to recognise the collective efforts of those people in the responding jurisdictions of Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, together with support from other governments, industry, businesses and communities, who responded to these incidents. This was Australia’s most significant avian disease incident to date and the eradication response highlights the importance of a partnership approach to biosecurity across governments, industry, community, and other stakeholders.
Australia has successfully contained and eradicated HPAI H7 several times in the past 50 years. The eradication undertaken in across the country in 2024 underscores the effectiveness of the national emergency animal disease response arrangements.
Attention will now pivot to eradicating the newly confirmed outbreak in Victoria. This new outbreak is unrelated to the 2024 responses and is a disappointing outcome for the affected farmers and impacted communities.
Reporting suspicion of exotic animal pests and diseases is easy and vital in protecting Australia. Early detection enables a rapid response and offers an improved likelihood of eradication. If you suspect the presence of an emergency animal pest or disease, please report to the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888. You can find out more about how we respond to animal disease incidents at https://www.outbreak.gov.au/