Avian flu detected near Moorabool

MULTIPLE poultry deaths at a local egg farm are being investigated, after preliminary tests confirmed the presence of avian flu.

Agriculture Victoria said samples from a farm near Meredith had been delivered to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness at Geelong for further tests, which will determine the type and nature of the disease.

The property has been placed into quarantine, and Agriculture Victoria staff are on-the-ground to support the business and investigate further.

“Agriculture Victoria is responding with staff on the ground supporting the business with further laboratory investigations as necessary,” Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Graeme Cooke said.

“Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or to your local vet.”

Though cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with high pathogenicity (HPIA) avian flu viruses are possible, 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.

Viral immunologist Dr Emma Grant, who is an ARC DECRA Research Fellow at the La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science (LIMS) agreed that the risk to the community was low.

However, she said farmers should maintain best biosecurity practices.

“There are many different strains of influenza virus which can infect a range of mammals including humans, poultry, aquatic birds, horses and pigs,” Dr Grant said.

“However, due to the way avian flu transmits, the risk to the general public is very low.

“Influenza viruses bind to specific proteins in the respiratory tract, and these proteins differ slightly between humans and other animals susceptible to influenza virus infection. Therefore, transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans is uncommon, as are instances of human-to-human transmission.

“The influenza virus strain responsible for the outbreak on the farm in West Victoria is reported to be a H7N7 virus, a different strain from the H5N1 strain currently being seen across the USA.

“Avian influenza viruses can spread quickly through animals, and farmers will need to remain vigilant.”