February 14, 2025

Australian livestock producers advised to report sick, dead birds following bird flu case in northern Victoria

Livestock producers in Australia have been reminded to report any sick or dead birds as a priority following confirmation of high pathogenicity avian influenza — H7 bird flu — in poultry at an egg farm near Euroa in northern Victoria.

The variant confirmed is H7N8, not the H5N1 high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) strain that has significantly impacted poultry and wildlife populations around the world. Testing carried out by CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness confirmed that this is a different strain to strains in the Australian 2024 outbreaks in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory.

Nevertheless, Animal Health Australia urged livestock producers to report any sick or dead birds to an emergency hotline.

Confirmation of the new outbreak occurred less than a week after Australia declared freedom from three different H7 bird flu strains that impacted the poultry industry last year and were successfully eradicated.

Agriculture Victoria confirmed the affected property has been quarantined and a declared area is in place in the eastern two-thirds of the Strathbogie Shire to prevent movements that could spread the virus.

- Beef Central