H5 bird flu public land access protocol

Public land access protocol

When H5 bird flu is detected in Victoria, public land must remain open and accessible. The presence of H5 bird flu in wildlife does not, of itself, require restriction of access to public land. This is because the spread of the disease through the environment will inevitably occur through wildlife movements and be ongoing.

Any decision to restrict access must be evidence-based, proportionate and time-limited. It must be supported by a clear operational need that cannot be managed through less restrictive measures. This approach follows an ‘on balance’ and risk-based rationale and considers the following:

• Restricting access to public land is unlikely to be a suitable mechanism to stop or limit the spread of H5 bird flu.
• H5 bird flu will be an ongoing and widespread presence in the environment.
• The risk of H5 bird flu transmission to humans is low.
• Community engagement and information measures are effective tools to manage most risks.

Decision rules

Public land must remain open unless a defined and immediate risk cannot be managed through less restrictive controls. Before applying any closure or restriction, land managers should:

1. Keep public access open wherever possible. You can use:
   • communication
   • signage
   • hygiene advice
   • alternative access routes
   • monitoring
   • deceased wildlife management
   • temporary cordons.
2. Apply the least restrictive control available. Use it only where public safety, animal welfare or operational risks cannot be managed through public information or site management.
3. Limit any restriction to the smallest area and shortest period necessary to complete the required operational activity. This will be directed as part of an emergency management response.
4. Notify DEECA where a deceased wildlife-management closure or restriction is expected to be more than 5 days or extends beyond 5 days.
5. Consult DEECA and the Chief Veterinary Officer before proceeding with any H5 bird flu-related closure or restriction for a reason not specifically covered in this protocol.

Short-term restrictions

Short-term restrictions may be used only where there is a clear operational need that cannot be managed through less restrictive measures. Restrictions must be:

• targeted to the specific risk or operational area
• limited to the smallest practical area
• in place for the shortest practical time
• supported by clear signage and public communication
• reviewed regularly while in place.

Potential triggers for short-term restrictions

• The need to safely assess, remove or dispose of deceased wildlife (if directed by authorities)
• Large numbers of sick or dead wildlife in a high-use public area
• A risk of direct public contact with sick or dead wildlife that cannot be managed through signage or alternative access
• Managing risks to high-value threatened species, including targeted threat management
• Domestic animals being likely to contact sick or dead wildlife despite other controls
• Public activity interfering with animal welfare response or operational activity
• Response operations requiring temporary exclusive access for safety, biosecurity or effectiveness

Managing risks to high-value species

Victoria has a number of highly valued species. This is either because of their social or cultural significance or because they are threatened. Examples include:

• Helmeted honeyeater
• Penguin colonies at Phillip Island
• Culturally significant species
• Captive threatened species’ populations

These species may need specific interventions or targeted actions to protect their conservation status, cultural and social values or population viability.

Conservation actions may include:

• Restricting access to sensitive habitat
• Managing disturbance
• Controlling predators or pest animals
• Protecting breeding sites
• Undertaking emergency response actions
• Supporting captive breeding or translocation programs
• Working with Traditional Owners and species experts to guide place-based decisions

Any decision to restrict public access to public land for managing risks to high-value species must be based on a documented risk assessment. It can only proceed after consultation with, and agreement from, the Chief Biodiversity Officer and Chief Veterinary Officer.

Managing dead and sick wildlife to maintain public access

Some dead wildlife will not need to be removed and can be left in place to decompose naturally.

In most situations, the appropriate response is to help the public avoid direct contact with dead wildlife while maintaining access to public land. This should be managed through:

• Clear communication
• Signage
• Public education, including advice to keep a safe distance and use alternative paths or access points where available

Deceased wildlife may need to be removed because of public safety or amenity risks. If so, access controls must be limited to the area and period needed to safely assess, remove, dispose of, or manage the deceased wildlife and associated operational activity

Public land managers should follow the guidance on Managing dead bilrds and wildlife on your land to assess and deal with dead or sick wildlife.

Notification and consultation requirements

Closures or restrictions for deceased wildlife management must be short-term. They must be strictly limited to the minimum period necessary to safely complete deceased wildlife assessment, removal, disposal or related operational activities. In most cases, this should not exceed 5 days.

Any closure or restriction that is expected to exceed 5 days – or that extends beyond 5 days – must be notified to DEECA as soon as possible. A closure or restriction proposed for an H5 bird flu-related reason not covered in this protocol must not proceed without prior consultation with DEECA and the Chief Veterinary Officer.

Situations that may allow restrictions on access to public land

Context

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b (H5 bird flu) has caused significant disease in wild birds, poultry and some mammals overseas. This has included marine mammals and scavenging species. The virus may cause illness and mortality in wildlife. It can have consequences for animal welfare, biosecurity, public amenity and public safety.

Human health risk from avian influenza is generally considered low. However, the public is advised not to touch, collect, or move sick or dead wildlife unless trained and authorised.

Increased and ongoing wildlife mortalities are expected if H5 bird flu enters wildlife populations. The presence of H5 bird flu in wildlife is likely to be ongoing. Large, widespread or ongoing public land closures are not needed. They are unlikely to be effective in reducing disease spread or public health risk.

Short-term, temporary access restrictions may be appropriate in limited circumstances to:

• manage sick or dead wildlife
• support rapid wildlife welfare action
• allow response operations to occur safely.

Restrictions must be:

• targeted
• time-limited
• supported by clear communication and signage
• limited to the smallest area and shortest duration necessary.