Avian influenza detected at an additional poultry property

Agriculture Victoria is responding to the detection of avian influenza at an additional Victorian poultry farm near Meredith.

This property is located within the current 5 km Restricted Area in the Golden Plains Shire.

Agriculture Victoria placed the property in quarantine as a precaution while further samples were collected and sent for testing at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong and AgriBio at La Trobe University in Bundoora.

Tests have now confirmed the high pathogenicity H7N3 strain of the avian influenza virus at the property.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke said Agriculture Victoria staff are supporting the property owner and are working closely with industry to reduce the risk of spread.

‘The detection of avian influenza at this additional property is not unexpected and is the result of ongoing surveillance activities within the Restricted and Control Areas.

‘Bird owners who reside in the Restricted and Control Areas are reminded to follow the restrictions and report any unexplained deaths.’ Dr Cooke said.

Existing movement controls remain in place in designated areas near Meredith and Terang. These are:

• a Restricted Area covering a 5 km radius around the Meredith properties, with a broader Control Area buffer zone in the eastern part of Golden Plains Shire Council. The western boundary of this area is the Colac-Ballarat Road.
• a Restricted Area covering a 5 km radius around the Terang farm with a broader Control Area buffer zone covering a 15 km radius.
• a housing requirement for all birds within these areas.

Within the Restricted and Control areas, permits are required for the movement of birds, poultry products, feed and equipment on or off properties.

‘Regardless of whether you are a commercial producer, or you keep a few chickens in your backyard, there are things you must do to protect your birds from disease,’ he said.

All bird owners across Victoria are reminded to follow best biosecurity practice such as keeping poultry sheds, yards, aviaries and equipment clean, and restricting contact between your poultry and wild birds.

Consumers should not be concerned about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets, they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume.

Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

More information, including movement permits are available online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza.