Bird flu simulation to test Australia's response

[Snowy Owl]

Bird flu simulation to test Australia's response

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/news/content/2006/s1764246.htm

Friday, 13/10/2006


The Federal Health Minister, Tony Abbott, says a four-day bird flu pandemic simulation will test Australia's quarantine and health systems on Monday.


He says the $4 million exercise is the biggest health crisis simulation ever undertaken in Australia and will involve more than 1,000 Commonwealth and state government officials and staff.


Mr Abbott says part of the exercise will involve a passenger carrying bird flu arriving at Brisbane Airport on Tuesday.


"It will help test our border control, disease detection and surveillance, contact tracing, quarantine and treatment systems," he said.


"It will also test our decision-making structures, our coordination mechanisms and our communication strategy."

[Snowy Owl]

Re: Bird flu simulation to test Australia's response

<headline>Flu pandemic 'outbreak' to test response</headline>

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/flu-pandemic-outbreak-to-test-response/2006/10/14/1160246373319.html

<!--articleTools Top--> <byline>
Alex Mitchell</byline>
<date>October 15, 2006

</date>HOSPITAL, transport, communications and emergency services across NSW will be tested during a three-day exercise simulating a bird flu pandemic.


Federal and state governments will combine resources to meet a hypothetical outbreak of the deadly influenza from today.


NSW Health Minister John Hatzistergos said the exercise would start in Queensland and the flu would spread to NSW.


"Exercise Cumpston will test the NSW response to pandemic influenza involving human-to-human transmission of a new strain of the influenza virus."


Within NSW the three-day response would include minor field activities only.


The new NSW Human Influenza Pandemic Plan will be tested.


A pandemic could occur when a bird flu strain, such as H5N1, changes into a form that is easily spread from person to person.


Currently, there is no pandemic influenza anywhere in the world and Australia remains free of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza.