Bird flu spreads to third Victorian farm
Bird flu has been detected at a third Victorian property, sparking an alert for bird owners including farmers and households with backyard chickens.
Avian influenza strain H7N3 was detected at a poultry farm near Meredith in the state’s southwest, bringing the total number of properties impacted by flu outbreaks in Victoria to three.
The farm is located within an existing five kilometre exclusion zone set up after the virus was detected at a nearby property in May.
Some 500,000 birds were culled after avian influenza was detected at two farms operated by Avgo and Surf Coast Eggs Farms, which share management, staff and machinery across sites in Meredith and Terang.
Authorities have not revealed whether birds will be culled after the latest find, however, the property has been placed under quarantine while more tests are carried out.
Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke said the latest discovery was “not unexpected”.
You might like
He urged all bird owners in the restricted area to follow strict rules and immediately report any unexplained bird deaths.
The restricted zone in Meredith has been expanded and a buffer zone in place at the eastern part of the Golden Plains Shire Council, meaning a permit is needed to move birds, poultry products, food or equipment around the area.
The alert issued by Agriculture Victoria states consumers should not worry about supermarket eggs and poultry products as they “do not pose a risk and are safe to consume”.
The US has placed restrictions on imports of Victorian poultry and poultry by-products until further notice.
– AAP
