Ms CARNEY - 2005-08-25
I thank the minister for his previous answers. Three people recently died offrom bird flu in Jakarta. If magpie geese and other water fowl are moving between Indonesia and the Top End, would you accept that is a possibility and may, in fact, be happening? Can you advise Territorians what specific action or safeguards you have put in place to ensure that the indigenous communities in the Top End are aware of the potential dangers involved in eating magpie geese or other migratory waterfowl?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can only repeat that I have regular briefings on the bird flu issue, both at the national level and from my own agency. On their assessment, there is no significant danger at the moment from the disease entering the Northern Territory jurisdiction or, indeed, the country, in a form that will spread readily to humans.
Asian bird flu outbreaks have occurred largely with people who have regular contact with very large populations of birds. I am assured, in the regular briefings that I have at those two levels that, at this stage, there is no significant danger. Things may change because the virus can mutate. We are monitoring the situation, both here and overseas, through the national process.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I can only repeat that I have regular briefings on the bird flu issue, both at the national level and from my own agency. On their assessment, there is no significant danger at the moment from the disease entering the Northern Territory jurisdiction or, indeed, the country, in a form that will spread readily to humans.
Asian bird flu outbreaks have occurred largely with people who have regular contact with very large populations of birds. I am assured, in the regular briefings that I have at those two levels that, at this stage, there is no significant danger. Things may change because the virus can mutate. We are monitoring the situation, both here and overseas, through the national process.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016