Bird flu detected at Victorian poultry farm

Agriculture Victoria announced on Saturday that it had confirmed the presence of avian influenza at a poultry property in Euroa, northern Victoria, just two days after Agriculture Minister Julie Collins declared that Australia was officially free of the disease.

Avian influenza is a viral disease of birds found globally, with several different viral strains that can be described as low pathogenicity (LPAI) or high pathogenicity (HPAI). Cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses are possible, although the risk to the public generally remains low.

Following poultry deaths on the Euroa property, Agriculture Victoria was alerted and diagnostic testing performed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness ultimately confirmed high pathogenicity H7N8. Collins had only recently stated to the World Organisation for Animal Health that Australia was free of HPAI, with no new detections since July last year.

“Avian influenza is commonly spread by wild birds, and unfortunately, despite the business having excellent biosecurity controls in place, poultry have been infected,” said Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinarian, Dr Cameron Bell.

“The business has acted quickly to identify the infection within the flock and are working closely with Agriculture Victoria officers to contain the outbreak.”

It should be acknowledged that this most recent strain is different from the H7 HPAI strains that impacted Victorian, NSW and ACT poultry farms during 2024, meaning those strains were, as far as we know, successfully eradicated. It is also different from the highly contagious and serious strain of H5 HPAI that is rapidly spreading globally, through the movement of migratory wild birds, but has not yet been detected in Australia.

In response to the Euroa outbreak, a control order under the Victorian Livestock Disease and Control Act 1994 is being established, which will include a restricted area extending approximately 5 km around the impacted property and a control area in the eastern portion of the Strathbogie Shire to prevent movements that could spread the virus. The Australian Government has also implemented emergency animal disease response plans to support the Victorian Government.

Meanwhile, 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.

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

Image credit: iStock.com/bymuratdeniz