Second case of bird flu uncovered in Victoria, with links to the first one
A second case of bird flu in Victoria has been detected, with links to the first one in Meredith.
The saga of bird flu outbreaks in Victoria is continuing as state officials confirmed a second poultry farm had been hit with it.
The property is located in the Terang region, southwest of Ballarat and is linked to the initial H7N3 outbreak on the Meredith property where the first case was located this week.
While an estimated 400,000 chickens were killed in an effort to halt the spread of the influenza, the detection of the second case has forced Control Orders to be put in place.
These orders restrict the movement of any poultry, poultry products, vehicles and equipment on or off properties in the lockdown areas between the two infected farms.
This includes a restricted area covering a 5km radius around the Meredith farm with a 20km buffer zone, and a 1.5km restricted zone around the Terang farm with a 15km buffer zone.
Agriculture Victoria has assured consumers they are safe to consume poultry products from supermarkets as “they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume”.
Contact tracing continues to be underway as authorities try to determine the source and the spread of the infection.
This comes after a case of a less dangerous strain was detected in Western Australia on Thursday.
WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional development acting chief veterinary officer Katie Webb stated the property was under “pest control notice to manage the movement of relevant animals and products off the property”.
“Testing at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness confirmed this is not the more serious H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza associated with disease and mortality in poultry in other countries, or the H7 high pathogenicity avian influenza that is currently being managed in a Victorian poultry farm,” Ms Webb said.
“The detection is an important reminder for owners of poultry including backyard chickens and aviary birds to follow simple biosecurity measures to reduce contact with wild birds and reduce the risk of introduction.”
It’s understood that the Victorian and WA cases are not linked, with officials urging poultry keepers to remain alert.
What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza, better known as bird flu is a highly contagious viral infection in birds. Some of the serious strains can cause severe symptoms and even death in poultry. There are mild strains of the flu which result in few or no symptoms and can go undetected.
These viruses are classified into subtypes, with some mild strains evolving into severe strains if spilt over from wild birds and circulation in poultry.
The affected avian species include domesticated poultry, geese, ducks, turkeys, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl and larger bird such as the emu and ostrich.
It’s usually spread when infected birds shed the virus in salvia, faeces and nasal secretions.
Can it spread to humans?
It is a rare occurrence but not impossible for humans to catch the bird flu. A recent case of human infection in Australia was a child who had returned home from India in March.
Victorian health officials stated that the child “experienced a severe infection” from the H5N1 strain, but has since made a full recovery.
Agriculture Victoria has stressed that people cannot catch the virus from eating cooked chicken meat or eggs.
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