Bird flu detected at Lethbridge

• Positive tests for H7N7 avian influenza at Lethbridge.

• Agriculture Victoria has placed limits on the movement of poultry and equipment.

• Cooked meat and eggs are safe to eat and there is little risk to people.

CASES of bird flu were discovered on a poultry farm at Lethbridge late last week.

An Agriculture Victoria statement said that a free-range egg farm in the area had birds return positive for H7N7 avian influenza.

The department subsequently established restricted area for the immediate land around the farm and control area for the whole of Golden Plains Shire.

“These controls prohibit the movement of birds, related equipment and products within and out of, the designated control area of Golden Plains Shire unless a permit for movement has been granted by Agriculture Victoria until further notice,” said Dr Graeme Cooke, Victorian chief veterinary officer.

“Agriculture Victoria is conducting surveillance throughout the Restricted Area buffer zone to determine whether the virus is contained to the property or whether it may be active in other areas.”

The orders were initially put in place for 72 hours from Friday, 31 July but are likely to be extended

The restricted area takes in an approximately 12-kilometre circle centred just east of the Meredith-Shelford Road and Tall Tree Road intersection.

At the same time a control order covered the whole of Golden Plains Shire and like the restricted area, it meant that poultry or poultry products couldn’t be shipped out of the municipality without a permit, equipment needed to be cleaned before movement and extra bio-security measures were put in place on poultry farms.

The Agriculture Victoria statement said that while poultry farmers and backyard owners should watch their birds for signs of the illness, it posed little risk to people.

“The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services confirmed the H7N7 virus is not a risk to the public as it rarely affects humans unless there is direct and close contact with sick birds,” the statement said.

“There are no food safety issues identified; properly cooked chicken meat and eggs are safe to eat.”

Poultry farming, with a focus on chickens for eggs and meat is a large part of the agricultural industry in the Shire, especially around the Lethbridge region.

A Golden Plains producer who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the detection of bird flu was concerning for the region’s farmers.

“Hopefully, they can understand where it’s come from and where it’s spread to and then limit any further potential infections,” the farmer said. “Something like this can really undo the poultry industry.

“Every producer I’ve spoken to is concerned about it, and every producer has to improve they’re processes to minimize any potential infections.

“A lot of Victoria’s egg and meat production are in the Golden Plains Shire and they are all affected by this.”

The farmer said that Agriculture Victoria had been in contact but hadn’t disclosed the site of the H7N7 outbreak.

“No firm information has come out of the department at the moment,” the farmer said. “We don’t know who’s affected. They should be letting us know, although I guess they are trying to protect that business as well.

“However, I also feel for the department, they are dealing with the COVID outbreaks in the abattoirs, they are also handing a salmonella outbreak on the other side of Melbourne, and we haven’t had something like this in such a long time – so for most people in the department this would be new to them.

“Ultimately, I think they are handing it okay. I’m not disappointed, they are doing a good job. They seem to be working pretty hard, but it would be nice to see more information released.”

The control order across the Shire also means any pigeon races, bird shows and bird sales in the municipality need to be cancelled.

Signs of H7N7 avian influenza in poultry include sudden death, birds with difficulty breathing like coughing, sneezing, or rasping as well as swelling and purple discolouration of the head, comb, wattles and neck.

Also keep an eye out for a rapid drop in eating, drinking and egg production, ruffled feathers, dopiness, closed eyes and diarrhoea.

Dr Cooke called on people to report birds sick birds.

“Poultry farmers, back yard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the 24-hour emergency animal disease watch hotline on 1800 675 888, to your local vet or to Agriculture Victoria animal health staff,” he said.