Poultry farmers in north-east Victoria can once again move birds freely across the region following the declaration by Agriculture Victoria that the latest avian influenza outbreak has been eradicated.
In February, the H7N8 bird flu strain was detected on four commercial farms near Euroa. The outbreak led to the euthanasia of hundreds of thousands of birds and the establishment of movement restrictions on birds, bird products, and poultry equipment within designated zones.
Victoria’s acting chief veterinary officer, Sally Salmon, announced that the restrictions have now been lifted, thanking the poultry industry and local bird owners for their cooperation in eliminating the virus.
“Early reporting from the initial affected business allowed us to respond swiftly, and their ongoing cooperation has been crucial in eradicating the outbreak,” Dr Salmon said.
She highlighted that more than 100 personnel were involved in cleaning and disinfecting each site. Agriculture Victoria officers visited 350 properties, collected 20,600 samples, and conducted 21,500 tests for the virus, all contributing to the successful containment and eradication efforts.
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