Community
16 January, 2025
Avian flu declared eradicated
THE response of Victorian authorities to last year’s outbreak of avian influenzas has been praised as the outbreak was this week declared as officially eradicated.
Agriculture Victoria has lifted quarantine on the last property impacted by H7 avian influenza, bringing the outbreak in Victoria to an end.
In 2024, Victoria experienced Australia’s largest avian influenza outbreak.
Between May 22 and June 24, eight commercial poultry properties in south west Victoria had birds test positive for high pathogenicity H7 avian influenza.
Seven infected properties near Meredith were confirmed to have a high pathogenicity H7N3 strain of avian influenza, and one infected property near Terang was confirmed to have a high pathogenicity H7N9 strain.
Victoria’s acting chief veterinary officer Dr Cameron Bell said the two Victorian H7 strains of avian influenza were now successfully eradicated.
“Victoria’s response included undertaking extensive surveillance, with testing of 38,000 birds taking place,” she said.
“The collaborative efforts of government, the chicken meat and egg industries, and the community have ensured that we could respond effectively to the outbreak.”
All bird owners across Victoria are reminded to maintain good biosecurity practices including keeping poultry sheds, yards, aviaries and equipment clean and excluding wild birds from feed and drinking water.
Poultry farmers, backyard flock owners and bird owners are reminded to report any unexplained bird deaths to their private vet, Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) hotline on 1800 675 888.
More information is available online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza.