Bird flu restrictions eased further

Further restrictions associated with the avian influenza outbreak in Victoria have been eased today, as the federal government concludes a national preparedness exercise.

Further restrictions associated with the avian influenza outbreak in Victoria have been eased today, with changes made to control orders around Meredith and Terang.

The restrictions came into place after seven cases of the high pathogenicity H7N3 strain were detected at properties in the Golden Plains Shire, as well as a single case of the H7N9 strain detected at Terang, in May and June.

From today:

– The restricted areas around Meredith and Terang have been removed and replaced with control areas.

– The newly designated control areas are the same size as the former restricted areas.

– The housing requirement in the newly designated control areas has been lifted, meaning birds no longer need to remain inside enclosures.

“Our efforts to monitor disease continue, with staff visiting properties and testing birds in the control areas,” Victoria’s chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke said.

“As we continue to carry out ‘proof of freedom’ testing, we’re confident that this testing will not find any positive cases of high pathogenicity avian influenza, proving to the world that our flocks are safe.”

This comes after the federal government held on Monday the final of three activity sessions aimed at testing Australia’s response to any incursion of the H5N1 strain, which has caused bird fatalities overseas.

Dubbed ‘Exercise Volare’, the three sessions saw government representatives across agriculture, health, environment and emergency management join Animal Health Australia, Wildlife Health Australia, poultry producers and other stakeholders in discussions.

“Australia remains the only continent free of this H5N1 HPAI strain, and our government will continue to focus on ensuring Australia is prepared for any future detection,” federal agriculture minister Julie Collins said.

“While we can’t stop the natural migration patterns of wild birds that may be sick, we can prepare ourselves if that does occur by ensuring we are working together in this national effort to protect Australia.”

Poultry farmers and bird owners are urged to stay vigilant and report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.