Community message issued about Terang bird flu outbreak

Agriculture Victoria has issued a message to the community about the Terang outbreak of bird flu.

"An outbreak of high pathogenicity H7N9 Avian Influenza is confirmed in poultry at Terang," the release said.

"This warning is relevant for all bird owners including poultry producers, bird keepers and pet bird owners."

The impacted area is Terang and surrounds, including Noorat and south-east of Mortlake.

The department said there was things the community should know about Avian Influenza.

It's a highly contagious disease that infects chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants and ostriches.

Many species of wild birds, including waterfowl and seabirds can also carry the virus.

"Movement controls are in place and infected properties have been quarantined," the department spokesperson said.

"In this area, you cannot move birds, equipment and products within and out of the control area and restricted area until further notice.

"You can find more information about movement controls and quarantine at Agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu.

"To stop the spread of Avian Influenza, the infected properties have been quarantined.

Chicken meat and eggs are safe to eat.

"While cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses are possible, the current risk to the public remains low."

The spokesperson said all bird owners should regularly check their birds.

"If you suspect your birds are sick, contact your local vet or call the Emergency Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888."

Bird owners in Terang are being advised they should house all their poultry in cages or sheds.

"Do not move your birds, eggs or equipment into, within or out of the control or restricted areas," they said.

"Bird owners should regularly check their birds and immediately report any unusual signs of disease to their local vet or call the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226

"To help prevent the spread of disease to your birds you should restrict contact between pet birds, poultry and wild birds, prevent contamination of food and water by faeces or other animal waste, keep equipment and yards or aviaries clean, limit visitors to your birds and bird owners should wash their hands before and after handling birds."

The department spokesperson said signs of the disease in birds may include sudden death.

Other signs include:

Avian influenza spreads to other animals by movement of eggs, birds, people handling birds, vehicles and equipment between farms, and by clothing, footwear, aerosols, water, feed, litter, wild birds, biting insects and vermin.

The spokesperson said people could not contract avian influenza by eating chicken meat or eggs.

"Avian influenza does not usually infect people, but in rare cases, human infection can occur.," they said.

"Most people are not at risk, unless they have contact with infected birds or animals, or their secretions, while in affected areas of the world."

Monday, May 27, 7.35am:

Agriculture Victoria has issued a housing requirement for all birds within the movement control zones around Terang and Meredith, near Ballarat, to minimise the spread of avian influenza virus.

Under the housing requirement all poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners must house or keep their birds enclosed as practically as possible in cages or sheds.

Penalties apply for those who do not follow these restrictions following the detection of bird flu last week.

It's understood 400,000 birds at Meredith and 160,000 at Terang have been euthanised.

It has been reported in Melbourne media that the two poultry farms, owned by AVGO Eggs and Surf Coast Eggs, have been struck down with different strains of avian influenza.

An AVGO and Surf Coast Eggs spokesman said the companies faced an estimated $9 million in financial losses and were devastated by the loss of their flocks.

"Each of our two infected sites have been impacted by a different strain of the avian flu, which means there has been no cross contamination between our farms - just bad luck," a company spokesperson said.

The United States has banned egg products from Victoria.

Victoria's Chief Veterinarian Graeme Cooke said the housing order had been supported by industry as a sensible step to take in light of the recent avian influenza detections.

"Housing birds when practical is an effective method of minimising direct contact with wild birds that can carry the disease with no apparent symptoms," he said.

"The order will reduce the risk that more birds will contract avian influenza, however it will not eliminate the risk of spread.

"If you don't have a building in which to house your birds, then efforts should be made to separate them and their food and drink from wild birds that may be carrying avian influenza. By using netting, for example."

Agriculture Victoria is responding to the detections at Meredith and Terang and the properties have been placed in quarantine.

Staff and security personnel are on-the-ground to support the businesses and are working closely with industry to contain and eradicate the virus.

Contact tracing is also underway to determine the source and spread of the infection.

Consumers are reminded that eggs and chicken purchased from the supermarket are safe to eat.

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 your poultry and wild birds.

Any suspicion of an emergency animal disease (EAD) should be immediately reported to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

On Friday, May 24: Avian influenza virus has been confirmed at a second Victorian poultry farm - at Terang.

No announcement has been made at this stage about whether birds will be culled.

An Agriculture Victoria spokesperson said the property was linked to the property at Meredith, near Ballarat, where the H7N3 high pathogenicity strain of avian influenza virus had resulted in numerous poultry deaths.

"The property in Terang is directly connected with the Meredith property, through joint management, staff and machinery," they said.

"The Terang property has been placed under quarantine and control orders are in place restricting the movement of poultry, poultry products, equipment and vehicles on or off properties in designated areas around the two infected premises."

These include:

Victoria's Chief Veterinarian Graeme Cooke said AV staff were on-the-ground to support the impacted businesses and were continuing to work closely with industry to contain and eradicate the virus.

'We encourage the community to play their part so we can suppress and eliminate this outbreak,' he said.

'Poultry owners who reside within the restricted and control areas are asked to follow the restrictions and to report any unexplained bird deaths.

Dr Cooke said cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with high pathogenicity avian influenza viruses are very rare but not impossible.

"Consumers should not be concerned about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets, they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume," he said.

All poultry and bird owners across Victoria are reminded to follow best biosecurity practices such keeping poultry sheds, yards, aviaries and equipment clean, and restricting contact between your 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.

Any suspicion of an emergency animal disease (EAD) should be immediately reported to the 24-hour EAD Hotline on 1800 675 888 or to your local vet.

Egg farm near Meredith remains in quarantine as bird flu strain revealed.