Agriculture Victoria released the most recent update on the Avian outbreak in Western Victoria on Monday June 10, and was issued specifically for Meredith and surrounds including Lethbridge, Bannockburn, Teesdale, Shelford, Inverleigh, Wingeel and Rokewood.
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An outbreak of High Pathogenicity H7N3 Avian Influenza (HPAI) is confirmed in poultry at Meredith.
This warning is relevant for all bird owners including poultry producers, bird keepers and pet bird owners.
Things you should know about avian influenza:
- Avian influenza is 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.
- To stop the spread of Avian influenza, the infected properties have been quarantined.
- Movement controls are in place.
- In Restricted and Control Areasamp;source=gmail&ust=1718059632252000&usg=AOvVaw3mBWfswUVSHrp0PdVCZOmj" Restricted and Control Areas, you cannot move birds, equipment and products within and out of the area without a permit.
- You can find more information about movement controls, quarantine and permits and access an interactive map to search for your property on the Agriculture Victoria Websiteamp;source=gmail&ust=1718059632252000&usg=AOvVaw3mBWfswUVSHrp0PdVCZOmj" Agriculture Victoria Website.
- Cooked eggs and cooked chicken meat 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.
All bird owners should regularly check their birds. If you suspect your birds are sick you should contact the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.
What you should do:
If you own birds:
- Bird owners in the Meredith Restricted and Control Areasamp;source=gmail&ust=1718059632252000&usg=AOvVaw3mBWfswUVSHrp0PdVCZOmj" Restricted and Control Areas 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 without a permit.
- Bird owners should regularly check their birds and immediately report any unusual signs of disease to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 (freecall).
- Check the Agriculture Victoria websiteamp;source=gmail&ust=1718059632252000&usg=AOvVaw3mBWfswUVSHrp0PdVCZOmj" Agriculture Victoria website or phone 1800 226 226 for details on movement controls.
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, yards and aviaries clean.
- Limit visitors to your birds.
- Bird owners should wash their hands before and after handling birds.
Check for signs of disease:
Signs of the disease in birds may include:
- Sudden death.
- Birds with difficulties breathing, such as coughing, sneezing, or rasping.
- Swelling and purple discolouration of the head, comb, wattles and neck.
- Rapid drop in eating, drinking and egg production.
- Ruffled feathers, dopiness, closed eyes.
- Diarrhoea.
- Occasionally, nervous symptoms.
How avian influenza spreads:
- Avian influenza can be spread 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.
Protecting your health:
- You can't contract avian influenza by eating cooked chicken meat or cooked eggs.
- Avian influenza does not usually infect people, but in rare cases, human infection can occur.
- 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.
