Latest news with #H7N3
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Another farm infected with bird flu
A third Victorian farm has been infected with bird flu, less than a month after the state government declared the disease eradicated. Announced on Thursday, the third farm is close to two other outbreaks detected earlier in February in the northern town of Euroa. The strain is different to the variant which swept across Victoria, NSW and the ACT in 2024, and different again from a strain wreaking havoc overseas. These infections severely cut the supply of eggs to Australian supermarkets for the second half of 2024. 'A strong biosecurity system relies on everyone playing their part,' Victoria's acting chief veterinary officer Cameron Bell said. Being close to two farms already infected, this third discovery was 'not unexpected', Dr Bell said. Affected farmers were being cooperative and Dr Bell told consumers eggs and poultry products were safe to eat. This strain of bird flu is H7N8 high pathogenicity avian influenza. When the first two H7 infections were found, bird, product, equipment and vehicle restrictions were put in place 5km around the farms. A wider 'control area' spans east of the Goulburn Valley Freeway and includes the townships of Euroa, Violet Town, Longwood, Ruffy, Avenel and Strathbogie. This restriction bans moving of equipment, animals and products too. In 2024, seven southwestern Victorian farms were infected with the H7N3 strain, and one had the H7N9 strain. These infections were eradicated. The likelihood of a person being infected with bird flu in Australia through normal contact with healthy birds is very low. However, humans are susceptible to infection with avian influenza viruses. Natural exposure to some types of bird flu has caused human disease in various forms, ranging from mild or inapparent infection to death. Most of the bird flu viruses circulating in birds do not readily infect humans.
Yahoo
08-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu case detected in Victoria's north
Australia's recent declaration of being bird flu-free has proved short-lived, with the Victorian Agriculture Department announcing an outbreak at a farm in the state's north. The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness conducted testing at Geelong confirming a H7N8 strain, which is different to the strain that hit Victorian poultry farms last year. The property has been placed in quarantine and arrangements made to ensure the disease does not spread from the Strathbogie Shire in Victoria's north-east, the department said. On Thursday, the federal government announced Australia was officially bird flu-free after there had been no detections of H7 avian influenza since July. More than 1.8 million birds were killed in a quest to rid the nation of the disease after Victoria, New South Wales and the ACT experienced outbreaks. On Sunday morning Victoria's chief vet will hold a press conference in Bendigo about the detection. The Victorian Agriculture Department warned people should contact a 24-hour hotline, on 1800 675 888, or their local vet if they have any suspicions about possible bird flu cases. "Consumers should not be concerned about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets, they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume," the department said. ❌ Never enter paddocks and touch or feed livestock you don't own🚘 Report your arrival and don't park near animals🧼 Wash your hands and footwear before and after a farm visit🔺 Always follow the directions of property owners — Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (@DAFFgov) January 24, 2025 Cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with avian influenza viruses are possible, the department noted. But it said the risk to the public remains low. Last year, Victoria experienced Australia's largest avian influenza outbreak on record. Between late May and late June, eight properties tested positive for H7N3 and H7N9 avian influenza in south-west Victoria. There was cautious relief last week from egg farmers nationally that they can start to rebuild a devastated industry. Production was expected to return to normal levels in spring, depending on further outbreaks. Egg prices aren't expected to drop, with the industry expected to pay 20 per cent of the clean-up, forcing farmers to pass on costs to consumers. Over the past five decades, Australia has successfully contained and eradicated H7 bird flu multiple times, But there are fears the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, which has devastated animal populations overseas, could find its way to Australian shores via the migration patterns of wild birds. The federal government is investing more than $100 million to bolster national preparedness. Avian influenza, commonly known as "bird flu", is a highly contagious virus that can cause sudden death in poultry. The World Health Organisation says the deadly H5N1 strain rarely affects humans and is not easily transferred between people.
