An outbreak of bird flu has spread to an eighth farm in Victoria after the contagious disease was discovered on another property.
Tests carried out on Tuesday confirmed traces of the highly contagious H7N3 strain of bird flu at an egg farm in Meredith, about 40km northwest of Geelong.
The property was already under quarantine after more than half a dozen farms in the Golden Plains region, in the west of the state, were infected with the virus.
Agriculture Victoria said officials are working with affected properties to contain the spread of the disease.
“A comprehensive surveillance program has been implemented in the restricted and controlled areas to detect the presence of such viruses,” a statement said.
“All properties have been quarantined and all poultry will be disposed of safely and humanely. The sites will be cleaned and cleared of the infection.”
Bird flu is a highly contagious viral infection that can cause severe symptoms and sudden death in domestic poultry, wiping out entire populations.
Health authorities have been scrambling to contain the virus after the first case was discovered on May 22 on a farm in Meredith.
Bird flu has been detected on an eighth farm in Victoria after the contagious disease was found at a property in the state’s west (stock image)
Restriction zones and control orders are in place near Terang, Meredith and Lethbridge to stop the movement of eggs and livestock.
The building in Terang was infected with the H7N9 strain.
The outbreak has led to more than a million birds, including chickens and ducks, having to be euthanized on the seven other farms.
The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) confirmed a case of bird flu had been detected on a farm in the Hawkesbury region, northwest Sydney, last Wednesday.
The strain of bird flu found is H7N8 and is different from the H7N3 and H7N9 strains spreading in Victoria and the H5N1 strain causing concern around the world.
Two properties in Sydney were also infected with the disease last week (pictured), as health authorities scrambled to contain the spread of the virus
The H7N8 strain was detected three days later at another site just 1.5 km away.
Agriculture Victoria said eggs and duck meat products are still safe to buy in supermarkets.
While it is possible for people to contract bird flu viruses when coming into direct contact with infected animals, Agriculture Victoria said the current risk to the public remains extremely low.