Bird Flu Found at 2 More Poultry Farms in Victoria and Western Australia

A test tube labelled "Bird Flu" and eggs in a picture illustration on Jan. 14, 2023. Dado Ruvic/Illustration/Reuters

Bird flu has now been discovered at a second farm in Victoria along with a poultry operation in Western Australia’s southwest.

Avian influenza linked to the first Victorian farm has been found at a farming property in Terang, southwest of Melbourne.

This property has now been placed in quarantine, and “control orders” have been enforced restricting the movement of poultry, equipment, and vehicles in designated areas.

In Western Australia, a separate less dangerous strain of the virus, H9N2, has been uncovered in the southwest of the state.

This comes after the H7N3, a highly pathogenic strain of avian flu, was detected at a poultry farm near Meredith in regional Victoria.

Meanwhile, the Victorian Department of Health revealed on May 22 that a human case of bird flu, H5N1, has been detected in a child.

The second location in Victoria is directly connected with the property where the first case of bird flu was discovered, Agriculture Victoria reported.

“The property is located in the Terang region and is linked to the property at Meredith where the H7N3 high pathogenicity strain of avian influenza virus has resulted in numerous poultry deaths,” the agency said.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinarian Graeme Cooke said cases of human influenza linked to animals infected with the virus are rare, but “not impossible.”

Mr. Cooke also said consumers should not be worried about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets. He said they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume.

He said Agriculture Victoria staff are on the ground to provide support to the businesses and contain and eradicate the virus.

“We encourage the community to play their part so we can suppress and eliminate this outbreak. Poultry owners who reside within the Restricted and Control Areas are asked to follow the restrictions and report any unexplained bird deaths,” he said.

Thousands of birds in Victoria have been culled to try and stop the spread of bird flu following its detection on the two farms.

Meanwhile, in Western Australia, the outbreak in the southwest of the state is not linked to Victoria and is less pathogenic than that discovered in Victoria.

Katie Webb, WA Primary Industries acting department chief veterinary officer, said the property is currently under a pest control notice managing movement on and off the property.

She said testing has confirmed this is not the more serious H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza strain discovered overseas, nor the H7 strain detected in Victoria.

“The detection is an important reminder for owners of poultry including backyard chickens and aviary birds to follow simple biosecurity measures to reduce contact with wild birds and reduce the risk of introduction.”

Victorian Health Department Encourages Flu Vaccine

Meanwhile, the Victorian Health Department is suggesting people should take the seasonal flu vaccine following the discovery of the first human case of bird flu.

The H5N1 strain was detected in a child in March, who fell sick after returning from overseas but has now made a full recovery.

Contact tracing has not detected any additional cases of bird flu connected to the case and there is no evidence of community transmission at this stage.

A health advisory, authorised by Victorian chief health officer Clare Looker, said there are many strains of bird influenza, and the majority do not infect humans.

“Some subtypes, including H5N1, are more likely to cause disease and death in poultry. These are known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses,” the advisory said.

The department also reassured the community the strain of bird flu discovered was different from that discovered in the United States.

“The United States of America is currently experiencing outbreaks of HPAI (H5N1) in dairy cows, with one recent human case in a dairy worker. Whilst the Victorian case is HPAI (H5N1), it is not the same as the strains that have caused these outbreaks in the United States of America,” the department said.

Two human cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5 virus have now been identified in the U.S., in Michigan and Texas.

The second case in Michigan is connected with an ongoing outbreak of H5N1 in dairy cows, the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said on May 22.

Health authorities suggested that the seasonal flu vaccine could reduce the risk of the emergence of new mutated viruses or a “new human pandemic.”

“The seasonal flu vaccine doesn’t protect against avian influenza. However, it can help prevent the mixing of highly pathogenic avian influenza with seasonal influenza, which can lead to new mutated viruses that could spread rapidly,” health authorities said.

“This highlights the importance of seasonal influenza vaccination, particularly for poultry workers and those travelling to areas with outbreaks, to reduce the risk of new human pandemic viruses emerging.”

The department recommended the flu jab for all individuals aged six and above.

“Influenza vaccination can be given on the same day as COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines,” the Victorian health advisory said.

Responding to the news of bird flu detected in Victoria on May 23, Australian National University’s Associate Professor Sanjaya Senanayake said the detection of bird flu is “not good news” and the next pandemic could be “just around the corner.”

“Despite having ‘COVID fatigue’ and not wanting to hear the word ‘pandemic’ again, the next pandemic could be just around the corner, and a strain of bird flu is a likely candidate. Unlike the early days of COVID, at least with H5N1, there are already human vaccines and antivirals,” she said.