Agriculture Victoria has confirmed the presence of avian influenza at a poultry property in northern Victoria, which has now been placed into quarantine.
Diagnostic testing performed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness at Geelong confirmed high pathogenicity H7N8, which is different from the strains that impacted Victorian poultry farms during 2024. The strain detected is also different from the H5N1 avian influenza strain that is impacting the USA and other parts of the world.
Agriculture Victoria staff are on the ground to assist control, support the business and investigate further.
A control order under the Livestock Disease and Control Act 1994 is being established. This will include a restricted area extending approximately 5km around the impacted property and a control area in the eastern portion of the Strathbogie Shire to prevent movements that could spread the virus.
Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinarian Cameron Bell praised the poultry business for alerting Agriculture Victoria as soon as they suspected the presence of disease in their flock.
‘Avian influenza is commonly spread by wild birds, and unfortunately, despite the business having excellent biosecurity controls in place, poultry have been infected.
“The business has acted quickly to identify the infection within the flock and are working closely with Agriculture Victoria officers to contain the outbreak.” Dr Bell said.
Avian influenza is a viral disease of birds found globally. Virus strains are described as low pathogenicity (LPAI) or high pathogenicity (HPAI).
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.
Every producer should have an on-farm biosecurity plan and know the signs of diseases that could affect their animals.
All poultry and bird owners across Victoria are reminded to follow best biosecurity practices such as keeping poultry sheds, yards, aviaries and equipment clean, and restricting contact between 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.
Consumers should not be concerned about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets, they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume.
