Bird flu has been detected at two Australian farms in Victoria, prompting authorities to create a quarantine control area.
The recently detected H7N8 strain, which is different to the one identified last year, has been discovered at two poultry farms in northern Victoria.
It is also different to the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain, which has been identified overseas in humans.
Agriculture Victoria confirmed diagnostic testing was performed by the CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness at Geelong and two poultry properties were now in quarantine.
A restricted area, 5 kilometres wide, has been implemented around the infected properties inside a larger control area covering the Strathbogie Shire to the east of the Goulburn Valley Highway. The idea is to “prevent movements that could spread the virus.”
This includes collecting, processing or packaging eggs on a premises for the purpose of the eggs being moved and also applies to meat and carcases from poultry and birds,”
The towns in Victoria impacted by this outbreak include Euroa, Violet Town, Longwood, Ruffy, Avenel, and Strathbogie.
The Australian government highlighted all infected properties were subject to “quarantine, depopulation, disposal and decontamination.”
However, the federal government reassured residents that chicken meat and eggs were safe to consume as long as they are handled and cooked appropriately.
Egg restrictions could be put in place but are still widely available, while chicken meat supply should remain consistent.
“Consumers can expect that some retailers may retain purchasing limits,” the government said. “There has been no impact on the supply of chicken meat.”
The Queensland government has also warned poultry producers and pet owners to take measures to prevent disease in light of the Victorian outbreak.
This includes cleaning equipment and aviaries, keeping wild birds away from contact with kept birds, their water or food, and washing hands with soap before and after contact with birds.
What is Bird Flu?
Avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, can also spread to humans via direct contact with birds. While the virus, caused by influenza A, is usually spread between birds, it can also impact humans and other species.The major strains of the virus are the H5N1, H7N9, and H5N8. The first known human infection of Hong Kong took place in 1997. Since then, there have been several outbreaks but there is limited human to human transmission.
Human Case in Wyoming, United States
Meanwhile, the U.S. state of Wyoming has just discovered its first case of bird flu in a human. The H5N1 was discovered in an older woman with underlying health conditions.Health officials are monitoring the situation closely, but said the risk to the population is still low at the moment. The United States has recorded 68 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
State health officer and epidemiologist Dr. Alexia Harrist, however, said the development did not require a high level of concern among most Wyoming residents.
“Our staff has followed up with other people who had contact with the flock and the patient, and will continue working with state and national experts to monitor the situation carefully for Wyoming,” Harrist said.
However, it also noted that human to human transmission of the bird flu had not occurred in the United States to date.
