Simulation exercise: Bluetongue in Australia

Dr Mark Schipp, Chief Veterinary Officer, Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF), Canberra, informed the OIE that a simulation exercise on bluetongue, named “Exercise Phantom Fox” is taking place in South Australia, from 15 to 18 May 2012.

This exercise will involve the Department of Primary Industries and Regions South Australia (PIRSA), the National Rapid Response Team (RRT) and participants from South Australian livestock industries. DAFF and Animal Health Australia will assist with coordination of the exercise.

The overall aim of this simulation exercise is to evaluate the ability of the RRT to assist PIRSA to meet its obligations for managing an emergency animal disease response in South Australia.

The specific objectives of this exercise are the following:

•  Provide RTT members with an opportunity to practice skills and procedures and to integrate into a jurisdictional emergency response;
  
  
•  Provide PIRSA personnel with the opportunity to practice activating and working in control centres and implementing emergency response plans;
  
  
•  Practice and evaluate the use of South Australia’s information management systems.

The exercise will involve activation of simulated state and local control centres, but there will be no field activities.

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Animal Health Information Department
World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE)
[email protected]