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Emergency health management

Health emergencies include disease outbreaks, natural disasters and mass casualty incidents. Find out what we’re doing to prevent, prepare for and respond to health emergencies.

Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV)
We are monitoring the unfolding situation in Australia concerning the Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV). It has been declared a Communicable Disease Incident of National Significance. We will update this alert with the latest medical advice and official reports.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Find information about the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, how to protect yourself and your family, where and when you can get vaccinated, and the current situation in Australia.

About emergency health management

Learn about public health emergencies in Australia and the various agencies involved.

Outbreaks and pandemics

Find out how we define outbreaks and pandemics, and plan and prepare to manage them.

Bushfires and floods

Learn about our role in bushfires, floods and other disasters that may affect your health.

Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC)

Find out about Australia's key decision-making committee for health emergencies.

View all emergency health management information

Public Health Information Hotline

1800 004 599

Call the Public Health Information Hotline in the event of a health emergency or incident affecting the public. You can call between 8:30am and 5pm AEST/AEDT from Monday to Friday.

Emergency management plans

Our collection of emergency management plans cover both domestic and international health emergencies.

View the collection

Latest news

Latest news

Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update 14 February 2023

In this issue: Message from the Ministers to Aged Care Providers, ATAGI advice on 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster, Webinar – aged care COVID-19 update and more.

Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly’s interview on ABC News Breakfast on 29 December 2022.

Read the transcript of Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly’s interview on ABC News Breakfast on COVID-19.

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Newsletter 14 December 2022

What’s new: 2023 COVID-19 Guidance and Supports for Aged Care, Access to the National Medical Stockpile - PPE and RATs and more.
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Latest resources

Latest resources

Easy Vaccine Access – Easy Read

Fact sheet
A fact sheet about easy vaccine access in Easy Read format.

COVID-19 and ventilation – Easy Read

Fact sheet
An easy read providing information on COVID-19 and ventilation.

Healthdirect – Easy Read

Fact sheet
An easy read providing information on Healthdirect.

Working Group on Amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005) – Frequently asked questions

Fact sheet
Frequently asked questions on global health reforms, including changes to the International Health Regulations (2005).
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