Simulation exercise: Highly pathogenic avian influenza in Australia

Dr Bob Biddle, Acting Chief Veterinary Officer, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry informed the OIE that a simulation exercise of highly pathogenic avian influenza, called “LESTER@AAHL1”, will be conducted at the Australian Animal Health Laboratory (AAHL) on 20 June 2007.

The aim of LESTER@AAHL1 is to evaluate the capacity of AAHL to support a response to an avian influenza outbreak in poultry.

The exercise includes a simulated multi-focal outbreak of H5N1, simulated sample submissions, AAHL personnel simulating the processing of these samples, and communication with resource suppliers.

The exercise will not include receipt, handling or testing of actual samples, nor activation of organisations outside of AAHL.

The control team and observers will come from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Emergency Management Australia and State government primary industry and human health agencies.

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Animal Health Information Department
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
[email protected]