Bird flu hits a SECOND Victorian farm: Cluster of highly contagious disease that can spread to humans spreads as the state grapples with coronavirus second wave horror
- Birds on farm near Lethbridge have tested positive for H7N7 avian influenza virus
- All birds on the affected property will be destroyed to stop the disease spreading
- Second outbreak is in a restricted zone set up around the first farm on July 31
- The illness can be passed from animals to human although such cases are rare
- Farm is placed in quarantine as farmers and biosecurity monitor the situation
A second free-range egg farm in Victoria has been hit with bird flu as the state grapples with an out-of-control second wave of coronavirus.
Birds on the farm near Lethbridge, about 100km south-west of Melbourne, have tested positive for a strain of H7N7 avian influenza virus.
The outbreak is within a restriction zone that was established around the first farm after a case was detected on July 31.
All birds on the affected property are being destroyed to stop the spread of the disease.
H7N7 is spread from one sick bird to another and mainly affects chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, ostriches and wild birds (stock)
Movement of poultry and processing equipment in and out of Golden Plains Shire has been restricted and the property has been quarantined.
'Movement controls are dependent on the risk,' Victoria Health said in a statement online.
'These controls prohibit, until further notice, the movement of birds, equipment and products within and out of, the designated restricted area, except under permit issued by Agriculture Victoria.'
Agriculture Victoria is conducting surveillance throughout the area to determine whether the virus is contained to the farm or may be a risk to other properties.
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Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said residents in the control area with pet chickens should ensure they are kept separate from all other birds.
H7N7 is spread from one sick bird to another and mainly affects chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, ostriches and wild birds.
It can also be passed from animal-to-person but not person-to-person.
The second outbreak is within a restriction zone (pictured) that was set up around the first farm after a case of bird flu was detected on July 31
A control zone across the Golden Plains Shire (pictured) has been established around the restricted area
Cases of human infection are rare and usually the result of contact with sick birds.
Symptoms start off like the common flu such as cough, fever, sore throat, muscle aches, headache and shortness of breath.
Anyone who has had contact with birds on an affected property who begins experiencing symptoms is advised to call their doctor or the Department of Health and Human Services on for medical advice.
There is currently no risk to any food supplied by the farm.
Farmers are being urged to report any suspicious and unexplained bird deaths to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888, to their local vet or to Agriculture Victoria animal health staff.
It comes as the state battles another zoonotic disease, recording 471 new cases of coronavirus and eight deaths on Thursday,
The figures were a sharp drop from the previous day, which saw Victoria count 725 new cases and 15 deaths - the worst day of any Australian state since the pandemic began.
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