- Bird flu detected at second Sydney farm
- About 87,000 birds will be euthanized
Highly contagious bird flu has been discovered at a second farm in Sydney in the Hawkesbury region. Authorities will have to euthanize 87,000 birds over the next seven weeks.
The case was confirmed by the NSW government on Saturday evening and was found 1.5km from the farm where the first case of bird flu was discovered last week.
Testing by CSIRO’s Australian Center for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) confirmed the strain was highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H7N8 – the same strain detected at the nearby farm.
However, the virus is not the same strain that is ravaging seven farms in Victoria, or the H5N1 virus that has infected more than 97 million birds and 118 dairy herds in the United States.
The second farm has been closed since Wednesday after bird flu was discovered on a large mixed farm and free-range poultry farm, affecting around 240,000 birds.
The case was confirmed by the NSW Government on Saturday evening and was found 1.5km from the farm where the first case of bird flu was discovered last week (stock image)
The outbreak is believed to be the result of a spillover event, such as a possible infection from a wild bird.
A 2km closure order was immediately implemented, covering three other large commercial poultry farms, including the farm where Saturday’s detection was confirmed.
The order restricted the movement of eggs, birds and machinery within the closed area.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty thanked the support and cooperation of the poultry industry and said the virus does not affect eggs and poultry meat, which are safe to eat as long as they are handled and cooked according to safe food practices.
Supply chains have been largely unaffected, but Coles has introduced a two-dozen purchasing limit in all states and territories except Western Australia.
Supply chains have been largely unaffected, but Coles has introduced a two-dozen purchasing limit in all states and territories except Western Australia.
People have been urged to report sick and dead birds on a ‘priority’ basis via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.