Australia Launches HPAI Preparedness Exercise

Australia has initiated Exercise Volare to enhance national preparedness against the potential arrival of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), with a $7 million government investment supporting this effort. The exercise will involve various government agencies and stakeholders, focusing on response activities and collaboration to combat biosecurity threats to agriculture, environment, and public health. Meanwhile, in the U.S., CSL Seqirus is preparing millions of doses of a vaccine targeting the H5N1 bird flu virus, as recent infections among farmworkers raise concern, though the virus has not shown person-to-person transmission. Public health officials emphasize that the risk to the general public remains low, and vaccination is not yet deemed necessary for most individuals. The CDC and health authorities are monitoring the situation as they prepare for the winter respiratory virus season, which includes COVID-19 and influenza alongside potential H5N1 threats. Both countries are taking proactive measures to ensure readiness for future health crises, highlighting the importance of vaccination and biosecurity.