Detection of avian influenza at related site

Australian Eggs is continuing to work with authorities in responding to a further detection of avian influenza at a commercial egg farm located in the ACT which has commercial links to the first impacted property in NSW. Testing has confirmed the presence of the H7N8 strain of avian influenza, the same strain as identified in the Hawkesbury region.

Overall, there has been one case of avian influenza detected in the ACT, two cases in New South Wales and 8 cases in Victoria with the egg, duck meat and chicken meat industries being impacted.

"The impact of avian influenza in Australia is being felt right across the poultry industries," said Rowan McMonnies, Managing Director of Australian Eggs.

"This latest case has been revealed through the tracing and surveillance process being conducted by NSW authorities with commercially linked farms seen as higher risk," said McMonnies.

"Early detections like this case give us the best prospect of limiting further spread and eradicating the virus," said McMonnies.

"We have already seen some disruption to egg supply with shelves thinning out in some stores towards the end of the day," said McMonnies.

"It's more a matter of convenience under threat than access to eggs at this stage with eggs expected to remain available across Winter," said McMonnies.

"Consumers can be assured there's still over 20 million hens under the care of hundreds of egg farmers across Australia that will continue to work hard to ensure there's eggs on shelves," concluded McMonnies.

ENDS

Agriculture Victoria have published guidance that while cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses are possible, the current risk to the public remains low. Find out more about avian influenza in humans from the BetterHealth Channel www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/bird-flu-avian-influenza.

For more information on the current Victorian response visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

For more information on the current response in New South Wales visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/animals-and-livestock/poultry-and-birds/health-disease/avian-influenza

For more information on the ACT Gov response visit www.environment.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/plants-and-animals/biosecurity/biosecurity-alerts/avian-influenza

Media enquiries
Kelly Seagrave, Australian Eggs
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