Agriculture Victoria
Yesterday at 1: 19 AM
Avian influenza virus has been confirmed at a sixth Victorian farm.
Tests have confirmed the high pathogenicity H7N3 strain at a commercial duck farm which is located within the current Restricted Area in the Golden Plains Shire.
This detection is why our risk-based Restricted and Control Areas are in place and shows that our comprehensive and ongoing surveillance activities are working.
Cooked eggs and poultry meat products are safe to consume.
All bird owners are urged to report any unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
For more information, including the expanded Control and Restricted Areas and to apply for a movement permit, visit
agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza
https://www.facebook.com/agriculturevictoria/posts/pfbid02tHpVsaMhsrwsTMmLKtMzyP6rZXhs5G9PwHHgzsZ5hLh cWykTZ1aLWHzHhLfdxMNsl
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Avian influenza (bird flu)
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Current situation
Last updated 5pm 13 June 2024
We are responding to the detection of avian influenza at 6 Victorian poultry farms.
Five infected properties near Meredith are confirmed to have the high pathogenicity H7N3 strain of avian influenza, and the infected property near Terang is confirmed to have the high pathogenicity H7N9 strain.
Five of the infected properties are located in the Restricted and Control Areas in Meredith and Lethbridge, in the Golden Plains Shire and one is in the Corangamite Shire where movement restrictions were already in place.
All properties have been placed in quarantine and all poultry will be safely disposed of. The sites will be cleaned and cleared of the infection.
The latest detection on a commercial duck farm is not unexpected. It shows that Agriculture Victoria’s reasonable and risk-based Restricted and Control Areas and comprehensive and ongoing surveillance activities are working as they should to pick up spread of the disease.
Food safety
Consumers should not be concerned about eggs and duck meat products. , They do not pose a risk and are safe to consume.
Victoria has a secure supply chain including the importation of eggs from interstate so the current outbreak has not significantly affected supplies.
Housing requirement
We have issued movement controls that include a housing requirement for all birds within the Restricted Areas and Control Areas in Meredith, Lethbridge and Terang.
Under the housing requirement all poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners must house or keep their birds enclosed in cages or sheds as much as practical.
Agriculture Victoria staff are on the ground supporting the businesses and working closely with industry to contain and eradicate the virus. Contact tracing is also underway to determine the source and spread of the infection.
Avian influenza is a viral disease of birds found globally. Virus strains are described as low pathogenicity (LPAI) or high pathogenicity (HPAI).
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.
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.
Compensation in an Emergency Animal Disease outbreak
In the event of a declared Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) outbreak,
financial compensation will be available to livestock owners and business that experience livestock or property losses as a direct result of the disease.
Personal wellbeing
Stressful events can cause feelings of worry and unease, especially where there are levels of uncertainty involved, but
there are things you can do to take care of yourself.
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https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu