Simulation exercise: Viral avian infectious disease in Australia

Dr Gardner Murray, Chief Veterinary Officer, Australian Government Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, informed us that a laboratory simulation exercise called "Exercise Blue Nose" would take place in Tasmania on 24 August 2004.

The exercise is to be held to identify specific areas of training required in emergency animal disease sample handling and decontamination procedures:

• assess specimen reception and post mortem room procedures for suspect emergency animal disease cases;
• assess diagnostic team procedures for reported suspect emergency animal disease at an external site.

The exercise will feature the possible infection of layer hens with a fictitious viral disease that has a zoonotic risk.

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