Avian Influenza
OFFICIAL: Avian Influenza Industry Update – 19 November 2024
Good afternoon everyone,
Agriculture Victoria continues to work with the owners of infected properties, farmers in the control area, and the wider industry to support business continuity while minimising the risk of disease spread.
Control Area Order updates:
- From Tuesday, 19 November 2024 the Meredith Control Area has been significantly reduced in the north and east and trimmed in the south to remove all the town of Bannockburn.
- Properties that remain in the Meredith control area still require permits for moving birds, poultry products, and equipment.
- Permits are not required for vehicles transporting poultry feed in the Meredith control area as long as they meet biosecurity requirements.
Background:
- Eight properties were confirmed to have a high pathogenicity H7N3 and H7N9 strains of avian influenza earlier this year.
- Avian influenza is a highly contagious viral infection of birds. Serious forms of the disease caused by high pathogenicity (disease-causing) avian influenza viruses can result in severe illness and sudden death in poultry.
- On 7 November the control area order for avian influenza around Terang was lifted. Permits are no longer required to move birds, poultry products and equipment in or around Terang.
Quarantine status update:
- Four impacted properties have now had their quarantine status lifted.
- Four properties remain under quarantine and Agriculture Victoria is continuing to work with the businesses to ensure the virus is fully eradicated and the farms can safely resume commercial operations.
- The remaining properties under quarantine have been cleaned and disinfected and are currently undergoing a fallow period or have sentinel birds on site throughout November and December to confirm the absence of disease.
Report cases of unexplained bird deaths:
Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to continue to be vigilant and report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to:
- Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 (Monday–Friday, 8 am – 6 pm)
- The Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888 which operates 24 hours per day.
Quick links:
- Access current situation, movement controls and background information on the Agriculture Victoria website
- Permits facilitate movement of eggs, live chickens and egg products into and out of and through the Meredith Control Area Order. To apply for a permit, fill out this online form (using this guide if you need help)
- Follow us on Facebook
- Follow us on X
Kind regards,
Rachel
Rachel Jacobson
Communications and Engagement Officer – avian influenza | Agriculture Victoria
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
M: 0436 814 241 | E: rachel.jacobson@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Workdays | Monday-Thursday
agriculture.vic.gov.au
Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram | YouTube
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We acknowledge Victorian Traditional Owners and their Elders past and present as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters and commit to genuinely partnering with them and Victoria’s Aboriginal community to progress their aspirations. |
OFFICIAL: Avian Influenza Industry Update – 7 November 2024
Rachel E Jacobson (DEECA) 2024-11-11 12:29
Good afternoon everyone,
Welcome to the new Avian Influenza Industry Update distributed by the project-based response team.
Agriculture Victoria continues to work with the owners of infected properties, farmers in the control area, and the wider industry to support business continuity while minimising the risk of disease spread.
Project-based response:
- On 31 October, after 163 days, the 2024 avian influenza emergency response transitioned to a project-based response team within Agriculture Victoria.
Control Area Order updates:
From Thursday, 7 November 2024:
- The Control Area Order for avian influenza in the Terang area has been removed.
- The Control Area Order for avian influenza around Meredith remains in place.
- Properties within the Meredith control area still require permits for moving birds, poultry products, and equipment.
The removal of the Control Area Order for the Terang area means that permits are no longer required for moving birds, poultry products and equipment.
View the media release.
Quarantine status update:
- On 26 September a commercial poultry farm at Meredith became the first of the eight infected properties to have its quarantine lifted.
o The farm was quarantined in June after the detection of the H7N3 strain of avian influenza.
o After extensive cleaning and disinfection, sentinel birds were introduced to monitor biosecurity before full operations could resume.
- The remaining properties under quarantine have been cleaned and disinfected and are currently undergoing a fallow period or have sentinel birds on site throughout November and December
to confirm the absence of disease.
Report cases of unexplained bird deaths:
- Agriculture Victoria continues to urge poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners to report any cases of unexplained wild, pet or farmed bird deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline 1800 675 888.
Quick links:
- Access current situation, movement controls and background information on the Agriculture Victoria website
- Permits facilitate movement of eggs, live chickens and egg products into and out of and through the Meredith Control Area Order. To apply for a permit, fill out this online form (using this guide if you need help)
- Follow us on Facebook
- Follow us on X
____________________
Kind regards,
Rachel
Rachel Jacobson
Communications and Engagement Officer – avian influenza | Agriculture Victoria
Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action
M: 0436 814 241 | E: rachel.jacobson@agriculture.vic.gov.au
Workdays | Monday-Thursday
agriculture.vic.gov.au
Facebook | Twitter | Linkedin | Instagram | YouTube
We acknowledge Victorian Traditional Owners and their Elders past and present as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters and commit to genuinely partnering with them and Victoria’s Aboriginal community to progress their aspirations.
