Agriculture Victoria (AgVic) says a seventh property in Victoria has reported bird flu, with areas around Lethbridge and Terang restricted. The first outbreak was reported in late May at an egg farm in Meredith, Victoria.
Avian influenza is a viral disease of birds found globally with virus strains either low pathogenicity (LPAI) or high pathogenicity (HPAI).
AgVic said, “Six infected properties near Meredith are confirmed to have a high pathogenicity H7N3 strain of avian influenza, and one infected property near Terang is confirmed to have a high pathogenicity H7N9 strain.
“A comprehensive surveillance program has been in place in the restricted and control areas in order to detect the presence of such viruses.”
Wild birds are considered the natural host for the virus. In Australia, some wild birds carry LPAI but usually do not show any symptoms of the disease, the department said.
“Sometimes the virus spills over from wild birds into domestic bird populations and may cause disease. This can occur through either direct contact between wild and domestic birds, or indirectly through contamination by wild birds of feed or water of domestic birds,” it said.
Restricted and control areas are in place around the infected sites, within the Golden Plains and Corangamite shires.
AgVic said all properties are in quarantine and all poultry will be safely and humanely disposed of. The sites will be cleaned and cleared of the infection.
Its staff are on the ground supporting the affected properties and working closely with poultry owners and industry to contain and eradicate the virus.
Tracing is also underway to determine the source and spread of the infection.
Owners may be eligible for compensation if birds or property must be destroyed to eradicate the disease.
Farm Pride Foods has been significantly impacted by the outbreak, with 36 per cent of its production capacity affected.
It has also proposed to conduct a non-renounceable fully underwritten pro-rata entitlement offer to raise around $6.17 million before costs.
The funds would go towards working capital during the recovery period and expanding rearing and laying farming operations.
