Agriculture Victoria's tracing activities have confirmed the presence of H7N8 avian influenza (bird flu) at one new property in Euroa in northern Victoria.
Victoria's Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Cameron Bell said this result was not unexpected and Agriculture Victoria undertakes testing to understand where disease is present in the region.
'There are known connections between the properties, which was how we identified high-priority testing sites early, even before disease was suspected,' Dr Bell said.
Dr Bell thanked the impacted properties in the region for their cooperation. Agriculture Victoria is on the ground and supporting the impacted businesses.
'After we confirmed the first property last week, we implemented restricted and control areas immediately to mitigate risks of disease spread.'
The control area spans east of the Goulburn Valley Highway for Strathbogie Shire, and includes townships Euroa, Violet Town, Longwood, Ruffy, Avenel and Strathbogie.
'If you are in the control or restricted areas, you cannot move birds, products (including eggs and manure) or equipment into, out of, or within the area without a permit.
'This includes selling or giving away eggs from your poultry – these must not leave your property.'
With the confirmation of a second property, a housing requirement has been introduced for producers with more than 50 poultry in the restricted area. This is a smaller area than the control area and includes Euroa and extends approximately 5 km from the affected properties in all directions.
'With Victoria's experience responding to H7 bird flu outbreaks, we know the greatest risk is to larger producers, who have more movement on and off their property.
'This H7 strain is different from the H5N1 bird flu strain spreading in other areas of the world and impacting wildlife. Victoria's poultry sector has experience with H7 bird flu from 2020 and 2024, and we remain grateful that Australia is free from H5 bird flu.
'This does not mean backyard poultry owners should be complacent. Whether you have a few chooks in your backyard or have a commercial poultry farm, here are some things you can do to improve your biosecurity practices and reduce the risk of your birds becoming infected:
- Restrict contact between pet birds, poultry and wild birds.
- Prevent access by wild birds to food and water sources for your birds.
- Keep equipment and yards or aviaries clean.
- Limit visitors to your birds.
- Bird owners should wash their hands before and after handling birds.
- Monitor your birds' health and report sudden death in your poultry.
'A strong biosecurity system relies on everyone playing their part. Immediate notification from properties when they notice their poultry are unwell is crucial to us getting on top of this outbreak,' Dr Bell said.
Consumers should not be concerned about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets, as they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume.
