Announcement

**Treyfish** · May 21, 2024, 09:42 PM

Unknown strain of bird flu detected at Vic egg farm

William Ton
May 22, 2024, updated May 22, 2024
Authorities are investigating an outbreak of bird flu at a Victorian egg farm.

Bird flu has been detected at a Victorian egg farm, plunging it into lockdown as authorities urgently investigate the strain.

Agriculture Victoria says it is investigating a number of poultry deaths at an egg farm near Meredith, about 40km northwest of Geelong.

Preliminary tests have confirmed the presence of the avian influenza virus,” chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke said on Wednesday.

“Agriculture Victoria is responding with staff on the ground supporting the business with further laboratory investigations as necessary.”….

https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/...d-flu-egg-farm

**Treyfish** · May 21, 2024, 09:49 PM

Aussie egg farm at Meredith in Victoria goes into lockdown over fears bird flu discovery is the strain causing mass poultry deaths around the world

Authorities urgently investigate the outbreak
Victorian egg farm placed into lockdown

By PADRAIG COLLINS FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA and WILLIAM TON FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS

PUBLISHED: 22:01 EDT, 21 May 2024 |
UPDATED: 22:01 EDT, 21 May 2024

Bird flu has been detected at an Australian egg farm, plunging it into lockdown amid fears it could be the strain causing mass poultry deaths across the world - and the possible cause of the next global pandemic.

Agriculture Victoria on Wednesday confirmed the presence of avian influenza after a number of poultry deaths at an egg farm near Meredith, about 40km north-west of Geelong.

The property has been placed into quarantine and Agriculture Victoria staff have arrived to support the business and investigate further.
….

Bird flu has been detected at an Australian egg farm

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13445217/Bird-flu-egg-farm-meredith-victoria-fears-deadly-strain-mass-deaths.html

Bird flu has been detected at an Australian egg farm, plunging it into lockdown amid fears it could be the strain causing mass poultry deaths across the world.

**Treyfish** · May 21, 2024, 10:10 PM

Australia detects bird flu at egg farm, early tests show it is not H5N1

Reuters
Tue, May 21, 2024 at 10:46 PM EDT·
SYDNEY/CANBERRA (Reuters) -Avian influenza has been detected on an egg farm near Melbourne but preliminary test results show it is not the same strain that has swept the globe and infected dairy cows in the United States, Australia's agriculture ministry said on Wednesday.

A number of poultry died at the farm, which has been placed into quarantine, authorities said.

The agriculture ministry said tests were being….

https://www.yahoo.com/news/australia...quUpdIJaGFJjK4

**sharon sanders** · May 21, 2024, 11:35 PM

Avian Influenza response

STATEMENT

22 May 2024 The Victorian Government has advised the Australian Government that it is investigating an incident of avian influenza in a Victorian poultry farm. The Australian Government has enacted its emergency response plans to support the Victorian Government response.

Further investigations are being carried out by the Victorian Government and the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness to determine whether the type of virus involved, including whether it is a high pathogenicity avian influenza virus.

Confirmatory laboratory testing is still being completed, however we know from preliminary results that this is not the same strain as the one being reported overseas, included in the United States and Antarctica.

The farm has been pre-emptively placed under quarantine.

Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Beth Cookson, is working closely with Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer to coordinate the response.

For more information about how Australia’s nationally agreed AUSVETPLAN Response Strategy for Avian Influenza visit animalhealthaustralia.com.au.

To read the statement from Agriculture Victoria visit their website.

If you are a poultry farmer, or a backyard poultry or bird owners you also have a part to play a part in monitoring for outbreaks and managing animal health:
- You should be aware of the signs of avian influenza.
- You should also take time to review your biosecurity plan.
- For more information visit: agriculture.gov.au/birdflu
Biosecurity is a shared responsibility. Report any suspicious bird deaths to Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888.

https://www.agriculture.gov.au/about/news/avian-influenza-response

**blacknail** · May 21, 2024, 11:52 PM

According to the article below, it is H7N7 which is commonly circulating in Australia

Hundreds of thousands of chickens euthanased on Victorian farm as bird flu strain identified

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2024-05-22/avian-influenza-bird-flu-detected-at-victorian-poultry-farm/103877560

Agriculture Victoria says farms at Terang and near Meredith are in quarantine and that the variant of the disease is H7N3, the most common strain to occur in Australia.

Completely coincidentally Australia has just announced an imported a human case of H5N1: https://www.health.vic.gov.au/health...er-to-victoria

**Treyfish** · May 22, 2024, 12:30 AM

AUSTRALIA DETECTS H7 BIRD FLU AT EGG FARM

A highly pathogenic bird flu has been detected on an egg farm near Melbourne but it is not the same strain that has swept the globe and infected dairy cows in the United States, Australian authorities said on Wednesday.

The egg farm where the outbreak occurred has been put into quarantine after a number of poultry died, the agriculture ministry of the state of Victoria said.

First laboratory tests show the virus as yet unidentified H7 strain that likely came from the wild bird population and has been seen in Australia before, Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke said.

He said restrictions on movement had been imposed in the area around the farm and the birds would be destroyed.

“This area does have a high density of poultry businesses, both egg laying and poultry meat…

Australia detects H7 bird flu at egg farm

https://ddnews.gov.in/en/australia-detects-h7-bird-flu-at-egg-farm/

**Pathfinder** · May 22, 2024, 07:28 AM

Avian influenza detected in Victoria

22 May 2024

The Australian Government has enacted its emergency animal disease response plans to support the Victorian Government as it leads the response to detection of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) at an egg farm near Meredith.

Testing has confirmed the outbreak is an H7 strain, ruling out the strain of avian influenza (H5) that is currently causing concern globally.

The farm has been placed under quarantine and Agriculture Victoria are providing on-the-ground support.

The CSIRO Australian Centre of Disease Preparedness is carrying out further tests.

This morning the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases met to discuss immediate response plans and the National Emergency Animal Disease Management Group will meet tomorrow.

The Australian Government has been preparing for a possible avian flu outbreak for some time, with Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry recently leading two national workshops to refine response coordination activity for HPAI.

These meetings brought together representatives from Commonwealth and state and territory government agencies and other bodies to ensure national preparedness actions are coordinated between the animal and human health and environmental sectors.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said while it was a relief this is not the new strain that is affecting other countries like the United States and Antarctica, Australia takes any incident of high pathogenicity avian influenza in Australia extremely seriously

“My department today enacted its emergency animal disease response plan to support Victoria’s response to this incident,” Minister Watt said.

“Australia has effective, nationally-agreed response and cost-sharing arrangements in place to address animal disease incursions and outbreaks, and this has swung into action to support Victoria.

“Australia is well practiced in responding to disease incidents in poultry and has successfully responded to eight outbreaks of HPAI in poultry since 1976.

“In all those cases, we were able to eradicate the disease successfully and rapidly with minimal spread between farms.

“Our hearts go out to the affected farmer and the community at this time.

“It is a timely reminder to all poultry and bird owners to follow best biosecurity practices and report any suspicious deaths immediately to the national hotline.”

Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Beth Cookson said that Victoria would carry out response activities within its borders.

“I am working closely with the Victorian Chief Veterinary Officer and the Commonwealth will provide necessary support to control infection rapidly,” Dr Cookson said.

“I have been impressed by the speed at which the Victorian Government has acted to respond. They are on-the-ground and actively managing this issue.

“The risk to human health remains low and consumers can have confidence eggs and poultry products at the supermarket are safe to consume.

“Biosecurity is a shared responsibility and I encourage everyone to report any suspicious bird deaths to Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888.”

Fast Facts:

Australia’s nationally agreed AUSVETPLAN Response Strategy for Avian Influenza is available at animalhealthaustralia.com.au.
National emergency animal disease response arrangements involves convening the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Diseases and the National Emergency Animal Disease Management Group.
More information about what Australian governments are doing to prepare for avian influenza is available on the department’s website.
If you are a poultry farmer, or a backyard poultry or bird owners you also have a part to play a part in monitoring for outbreaks and managing animal health:
You should be aware of the signs of avian influenza.
You should also take time to review your biosecurity plan.
For more information visit the departments website

https://minister.agriculture.gov.au/...ected-victoria

**Pathfinder** · May 23, 2024, 08:51 AM

Movement controls in place for avian influenza

23 May 2024

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed that the H7N3 high pathogenic strain of avian influenza virus is the cause of a number of poultry deaths at an egg farm near Meredith.

Movement controls are now in place to prevent any spread of the virus while the property is quarantined, all poultry are safely disposed of, and the site is cleared of the infection. Contact tracing is also underway to determine the source and spread of the infection.

This includes a Restricted Area covering a five-kilometre radius around the infected premises and a broader Control Area buffer zone covering an area of 20 kilometres.

This restricts the movement of poultry, poultry products, equipment and vehicles on or off properties in these areas. Penalties apply for those who do not follow these restrictions.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinarian Graeme Cooke said Agriculture Victoria staff are on-the-ground to support the business and working closely with industry to contain and eradicate the virus.

‘Avian influenza is a viral disease of birds found globally,’ he said.

‘The strain of the virus detected near Meredith is H7N3, which is different from the H5N1 avian influenza strain that's impacting the USA and other parts of the world. H5N1 has not been detected in birds in Australia.

‘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.

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

All poultry and bird owners across Victoria are reminded to follow best biosecurity practice such 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.

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.

See the latest updates on avian influenza.

Media contact: SBOC.PublicInformation@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Phone: 03 8624 3400

Movement controls in place for avian influenza

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/2024-releases/movement-controls-in-place-for-avian-influenza

**Treyfish** · May 23, 2024, 10:02 AM

Bird flu spreads to third Australian farm as 400,000 chickens are slaughtered to halt spread of the virus - day after it emerged child became infected

By PRANAV HARISH FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

PUBLISHED: 07:17 EDT, 23 May 2024 | UPDATED: 07:29 EDT, 23 May 2024

Another farm in Australia has been hit by a case of bird flu with around 400,000 chickens set to be slaughtered to stop the spread of the disease.

Health officials and farmers are on high alert, after the second case of the Avian Influenza, a contagious infection found in birds, was detected at a rural property in Terang, 141km west of Geelong, Victoria on Thursday.

Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral infection which can cause severe symptoms and sudden death in domestic poultry, wiping out entire populations.
The farm is the third place the disease has been detected, after the virus was found at an egg farm in Meredith, also in Victoria's west, on Wednesday, and a less dangerous strain was detected in Western Australia.....

'The property is located in the Terang region and is linked to the property at Meredith where the H7N3 high pathogenicity strain of avian influenza virus has resulted in numerous poultry deaths,' Agriculture Victoria said in a statement on Thursday. .....

Another case of the virus, which is not connected to the outbreaks in Victoria, has been found on a farm in Western Australia.

Department of Primary Industries and Regional WA acting Chief Veterinary Officer Katie Webb, told Daily Mail Australia in a statement the department is aware of the case....

'The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is managing a detection of low pathogenic H9N2 avian influenza in a poultry operation in the South West of Western Australia,' Ms Webb said.

'DPIRD has been working with the affected poultry operation to manage the detection and reduce the likelihood of spread, and to implement additional biosecurity measures to reduce the risk of new introduction from wild birds.'....

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...-Victoria.html

**Treyfish** · May 23, 2024, 10:08 AM

Australian child tests positive to H5N1 bird flu, as three farms investigated by authorities

Tileah Dobson and Aisling BrennanNCA NewsWire
May 22, 2024 8:32PM

Three farms have now detected a strain of bird flu in two separate states, as a child was confirmed as the first case of H5N1 bird flu in Australia.
...The child had returned from India in March, where he contracted the aviation influenza A infection and fell ill.

Victorian health officials stated that the child “experienced a severe infection” but has since made a full recovery.....

......WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional development acting chief veterinary officer Katie Webb said officers had detected the low pathogenic H9N2 strain.

“Testing at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness confirmed this is not the more serious H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza associated with disease and mortality in poultry in other countries, or the H7 high pathogenicity avian influenza that is currently being managed in a Victorian poultry farm,” Ms Webb said.////

https://www.perthnow.com.au/news/aus...flu-c-14764743

**Lance** · May 23, 2024, 11:44 AM

Australia - High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with) - Immediate notification

GENERAL INFORMATION

COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
ZONE

ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL

DISEASE CATEGORY
Listed disease

EVENT ID
5683

DISEASE
High pathogenicity avian influenza viruses (poultry) (Inf. with)

CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus

GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
H7N3

START DATE
2024/05/17

REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
New strain in a zone or a compartment

DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE- CONFIRMATION DATE
2024/05/22

EVENT STATUS
On-going

END DATE- SELF-DECLARATION

NO REPORT INFORMATION

REPORT NUMBER
Immediate notification

REPORT ID
IN_167444

REPORT REFERENCE- REPORT DATE
2024/05/23

REPORT STATUS
Validated

NO EVOLUTION REPORT

EPIDEMIOLOGY

SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION

Unknown or inconclusive

EPIDEMIOLOGICAL COMMENTS
This is a confirmed case of H7N3 HPAI in a mixed caged/barn and free-ranged commercial egg layer poultry farm. Biosecurity controls have been implemented on the farm. A detailed surveillance plan has been developed and epidemiological investigation and tracing is underway. Operational activities have commenced. A Control Area (CA) and Restricted Area (RA) has been declared around the premises. A surveillance plan for poultry premises within the CA and RA including wild birds is being developed. A public information strategy is being developed. All coordinates provided are approximate and designated to centres of Local Government Areas.

QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY

MEASURING UNIT
Animal

SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated Birds (DOMESTIC)NEW41300075003000---TOTAL41300075003000---

DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS

CLINICAL SIGNS
YES

METHOD OF DIAGNOSTIC
Diagnostic test

Gene sequencing

Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness

Birds

1

2024/05/22

Positive

https://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5683

**Treyfish** · May 24, 2024, 04:20 PM

U.S. Imposes Avian Influenza Import Ban from Victoria

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is restricting the import of certain poultry and byproducts from Victoria, Australia due to avian influenza in domestic birds, effective May 22 until further notice.

Created: 25-05-2024 02:42 IST

https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/science-environment/2949755-us-imposes-avian-influenza-import-ban-from-victoria

**Treyfish** · June 4, 2024, 04:28 AM

H7 bird flu found on third poultry farm in Australia

Tuesday, 04 Jun 2024 2:43 PM MYT

CANBERRA, June 4 — Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected at a third poultry farm near Melbourne, but it is not the same strain that has spread globally and raised fears of human transmission, the Victoria state government said on Wednesday.

Hundreds of thousands of birds have already been destroyed after bird flu was found at two Australian egg farms last month.

The third farm is within a few kilometres of the first to report infection and both have the same H7N3 strain of the virus, while the other farm had an H7N9 strain, the state government said.

All three farms have been placed in quarantine with restrictions on movement in surrounding areas.
…..

H7 bird flu found on third poultry farm in Australia

https://www.malaymail.com/news/world/2024/06/04/h7-bird-flu-found-on-third-poultry-farm-in-australia/138018

CANBERRA, June 4 — Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected at a third poultry farm near Melbourne, but it is not the same strain that has spread globally and raised...

**Treyfish** · June 4, 2024, 04:32 AM

Egg supply warning as deadly bird flu outbreak spreads

By Rachael Ward
Updated June 4 2024 - 2:15AM, first published 2:09AM

The supply of eggs in shops could be impacted within days as a deadly bird flu strain spreads to a third Victorian poultry farm.

Avian influenza strain H7N3 has been detected at property near Meredith in the state's southwest, sparking a safety alert for all bird owners including farmers and households with backyard chickens.

Victorian Farmers Federation vice president and egg farmer Danyel Cucinotta said the industry was doing everything possible to keep up the supply of fresh and affordable eggs.
…..
The latest farm caught in the outbreak is within an existing five kilometre exclusion zone set up after the virus was detected at a nearby property in May.

About 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 l…..

https://www.canberratimes.com.au/sto...eads/?cs=14231

Announcement

Australia - Highly pathogenic avian influenza strains H7N8, H7N3, H7N9 - May 22, 2024+

Australia - Highly pathogenic avian influenza strains H7N8, H7N3, H7N9 - May 22, 2024+

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment