Bird flu has been detected at a farm in the Hawkesbury district of New South Wales (NSW), near Sydney. This comes after seven farms in Victoria were infected with avian flu during the months of May and June. The NSW farm has been placed into quarantine, and the government is working closely with the property to manage the outbreak.
In an alert put out on June 19, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) explained that the avian flu strain detected at the property is separate from that found in Victoria. “Avian influenza has been detected at a commercial poultry farm in the Greater Sydney Basin on June 19, 2024,” DPI said. “Importantly, the HPAI H7N8 strain detected in NSW is not the same as the H5N1 strain that is causing concern globally and is not connected to the Victorian outbreak.”
The department reassured the community that HPAI has been eradicated from NSW three times before, the most recent being in Young in 2013. Meanwhile, NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty stated that a formal control order will be declared in the afternoon on June 19, extending biosecurity control to a radius of 1-2 kilometers around the farm site.
“High pathogenic diseases spread quickly and have a high mortality rate among poultry birds, which is why there has been an immediate lock down of the farm,” she said. The government will work closely with the industry to reduce the risk of spread and minimize any impact on egg supply.
“This detection does not pose a risk to consumer health, and the products are safe to consume if they are handled and cooked as per standard food handling practices,” Ms. Moriarty said.
The Food Safety Regulator in Australia reassured Australians that bird flu is not a food safety concern, and it is safe to eat chicken, eggs, and egg products that are properly prepared and handled. FSANZ chief executive officer Dr. Sandra Cuthbert emphasized that Australia’s world-class biosecurity and food regulation systems ensure the safety of the food supply.
Meanwhile, avian influenza has been detected at a seventh Victorian farm. Testing confirmed the high pathogenicity H7N3 strain has been discovered at another commercial egg farm in the Golden Plains Shire. “Movement restrictions are expected to be in place for several weeks, and we’re working with industry to support poultry farmers with the logistical challenges they’re facing,” Victoria chief veterinary officer Graeme Cooke said.
Following the detection of the H7 strain of bird flu in Victoria, University of Queensland virologist Dr. Kirsty Short said, “It is very reassuring that the strain identified is an H7 virus (which we have previously had outbreaks of in Australia) rather than the problematic H5N1 strain that is circulating globally.” She added, “However, this should serve as an important reminder of the need for constant vigilance regarding avian influenza and the need to report any sick or dying birds to the appropriate authorities.”
Please rewrite the following text:
Original: “The dog ran quickly through the park and chased after the frisbee.”
Rewritten: “The dog sprinted through the park, eagerly chasing the frisbee.”
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