Community
30 May, 2024
Avian Flu detected at Terang property
A SECOND Victorian case of a highly pathogenic strain of the Avian Influenza virus has been confirmed to have been detected at a Terang poultry farm.
The local outbreak of Avian Influenza, commonly referred to as ‘bird flu,’ was discovered the day after the HN73 strain was detected at an egg farm near Meredith, just outside Geelong.
Agriculture Victoria has stated the Terang outbreak, at Surf Coast Eggs on Keilambete Road, is linked to the initial outbreak at a property in Meredith, just outside Geelong, where the H7N3 strain of Avian Influenza has resulted in numerous poultry deaths.
Victoria’s chief veterinarian Graeme Cooke said Agriculture Victoria staff were on-the-ground to support the impacted businesses and were continuing to work closely with industry to contain and eradicate the virus.
“We encourage the community to play their part so we can suppress and eliminate this outbreak,” he said.
“Poultry owners who reside within the restricted and control areas were asked to follow the restrictions and to report any unexplained bird deaths.”
The property in Terang is directly connected with the Meredith property, through joint management, staff and machinery.
The Terang property has been placed under quarantine.
Control orders have been put in place restricting the movement of poultry, poultry products, equipment and vehicles on or off properties in designated areas around the two infected premises.
A restricted area covers a 1.5km radius around the Terang farm with a broader control area buffer zone covering an area of 15km.
The Control Area Order requires permits for the movement of poultry, poultry products and equipment on or off the properties in these areas.
Penalties apply for those who do not follow these restrictions.
Dr Cooke said cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses are very rare but not impossible.
“Consumers should not be concerned about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets, they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume,” he said.
All poultry and bird owners across Victoria were reminded to follow best biosecurity practices such as keeping poultry sheds, yards, aviaries and equipment clean, and restricting contact between your poultry and wild birds.
Bird owners should also ensure their footwear is clean, always wash hands before and after handling birds or eggs and quarantine new birds before integrating with existing ones.
Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of birds.
Serious forms of the disease caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses can result in severe symptoms and sudden death in domestic poultry (up to 100 per cent of birds).
Mild strain forms of the disease caused by low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) viruses cause few or no symptoms in poultry and may go undetected in some species of birds, though can result in some deaths.
Any suspicion of an emergency animal disease (EAD) should be immediately reported to the 24-hour EAD Hotline on 1800 675 888 or to your local vet.
While cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses are possible, the current risk to the public remains low.
Find out more about avian influenza in humans from the BetterHealth Channel.
