Second avian influenza strain detected at Bairnsdale and Lethbridge

A second strain of avian influenza – this time, low pathogenic – has been detected on two properties on opposite sides of Victoria.

A second strain of avian influenza has been detected in Victoria. Picture: File

A SECOND strain of avian influenza has infected two properties on opposite sides of Victoria.

The low pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza virus has been detected in a turkey flock near Lethbridge – which is where two egg farms have been infected with the highly pathogenic H7N7 avian influenza virus in the past fortnight – and a poultry farm at Bairnsdale.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said the H5N2 strain of the virus had a much lower effect on poultry than highly pathogenic avian influenza.

The highly pathogenic strain has seen more than 40,000 birds culled on one Lethbridge farm and 340,000 expected to be culled at another, costing that farm up to $23 million.

“Highly pathogenic strains, like the H7N7 that was recently detected in Golden Plains Shire, cause severe clinical signs and high death rates among poultry,” he said.

“However, we have now also detected a low pathogenic H5N2 strain. This typically causes much reduced clinical signs in comparison.

“This low pathogenic H5N2 was detected in a turkey flock within the recently established Lethbridge Restricted Area where poultry premises are being tested.

“Biosecurity officers then linked this premises with another poultry premises near Bairnsdale, where testing also found low pathogenic H5N2.”

Dr Cooke said Agriculture Victoria was actively investigating the connection between the Bairnsdale and Lethbridge properties. Both properties have been put into quarantine.

As a precaution, a 2km Control Area near Bairnsdale has been established, as well as a Restricted Area buffer zone within a radius of 1km from the infected property.

The entire Golden Plains Shire remains a Control Area, as well as a smaller Restricted Area around the infected properties.

The movement of birds, related equipment and products within and out of the designated Control Area is prohibited without a permit.

The Victorian Department of Health and Human Services said neither viruses are a risk to the public and there were no food safety issues identified.

Any cases of unexplained bird deaths in Victoria should be reported to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.