Health Alerts

Australia's Health Emergency Influenza Pandemic Preparedness - What is the Government Doing?

This page contains information on the Australian Government's response to Influenza Pandemic Preparedness

Australia is one of the most prepared countries in the world to respond to an outbreak of avian influenza or an influenza pandemic. Since the emergence of avian influenza in Asia in 2003, the Australian Government has so far committed a total of $599 million on avian influenza and pandemic preparedness measures, including $414 million on the Australian health response, $141 million to help our regional neighbours and $44 million to strengthen Australia’s frontline defence against bird flu entering Australia.

These measures include:

• Antiviral drugs: The purchase of 8.75 million courses of antiviral drugs at a cost of $243 million. On a per capita basis, Australia has one of the largest stockpiles of antivirals in the world. Close to four million courses of both Tamiflu and Relenza have been stockpiled in Australia and are ready for use. The remainder is on order with deliveries expected to be completed by early 2007. When all stock has been delivered, we will have enough antivirals to provide coverage for nearly 44 per cent of the Australian population. If a pandemic breaks out we are in a very strong position to respond.

• Vaccines: The Australian Government has allocated $4.93 million to Australian vaccine manufacturer CSL Ltd for the development of a candidate vaccine against pandemic flu. The Australian Government has also allocated $16.6 million for the purchase of five million doses of the H5N1 vaccine currently in clinical trials, if it is shown to be safe, effective and supported by expert medical advice. Australia has also successfully secured contractual commitments from CSL Ltd and an international supplier for up to 50 million doses of a pandemic vaccine, should such a vaccine be developed. We are one of the first countries worldwide to get such a commitment.

Other measures:

• The stockpiling of 40 million surgical masks, 50 million syringes and the distribution of 314 medical ventilators to all Australian states and territories.
• The purchase of 25 thermal imaging screeners (which indicate body temperature) that could be deployed to airports within hours of a possible human pandemic outbreak.
• The allocation of $35.7 million for the purchase of additional personal protective equipment, such as masks, goggles and gloves, for the National Medical Stockpile.
• $34.4 million to create a new "Office of Health Protection" as a division within the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, to provide strengthened human biosecurity and emergency response capability.
• The upgrading of the World Health Organisation collaborating influenza centre in Melbourne at a cost of $23.2 million.
• The establishment of six quarantine packs which include equipment that can be prepared to deal with some 500 people each for five days.
• Funding of $10.1 million over four years to improve the nation’s infectious diseases surveillance system to enable rapid detection and reporting of infectious diseases. In addition, a further $6.5 million will be spent for the expansion and strengthening of Australia’s influenza surveillance networks.
• An allocation of $6.5million to finance urgent research into pandemic influenza.
• Funding of $7.2 million for the development of communication materials for use prior to and during a pandemic.
• The development of a major national simulation exercise (Exercise Cumpston 06) to be undertaken in October 2006 to test health and broader preparedness and responses to a simulated pandemic influenza outbreak. $4.1 million has been allocated for this exercise.
• The provision of $400,000 to build capacity for health monitoring of travellers and other exposed people in home quarantine.
• The release in May 2006 of the Australian Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza. This document provides a detailed guide for the Australian response to a pandemic influenza threat. The Plan is under continual review.

Regional Efforts

Australia is playing a leading role in developing a coordinated regional response to avian and pandemic influenza.

The Australian Government has committed $141 million to initiatives to improve the detection and surveillance, emergency preparedness and response capabilities of countries in the region.

In November 2005, the Prime Minister announced at the APEC Conference in South Korea, funding of $100 million over four years for initiatives that will combat the threat of pandemics and other emerging infectious diseases within the region.

$90 million will be used to help regional economies prepare and to support organisations working across the region, such as the World Health Organisation.

$10 million will be used for specific APEC activities on avian influenza. A register of experts with specialist skills in human and animal health and disaster response across the APEC region will be established. Australia will also coordinate a regional simulation exercise in June 2006 to test international arrangements for emergency management and establish response mechanisms for a human-to-human outbreak. This package of assistance is in addition to the $41 million Australia has already committed since 2003 to combat avian influenza and other infectious diseases in the region.

More information about Australia’s regional efforts can be found on the AusAID website at: http://www.ausaid.gov.au

The Australian Government is also working at the wider international level. Australia is a core member of the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (IPAPI) which brings together concerned states to develop our global capabilities to respond to the pandemic threat. Australian officials participated actively in the first IPAPI meeting on 6-7 October 2005 in Washington.

Quarantine

Quarantine officers at airports, seaports and international mail centres are maintaining a high level of vigilance for birds and bird products from avian flu affected countries.
Australia has a 100% screening policy (either by detector dogs, x-ray or physical inspection) of all bags from all flights from targeted high-risk avian influenza countries. In 2004-05 Quarantine officers at airports seized more than 12 tonnes of poultry products from all countries, of which just over 6 tonnes of poultry products, including eggs and feathers, moon cakes and egg noodles were seized from countries affected by avian influenza.

More information

Australian Health Management Plan for Pandemic Influenza



Information correct at time of release – May 2006