09/02/2025
Attention poultry owners.
Agriculture Victoria announced this weekend a confirmation of Avian Influenza, a H7N8 strain, at a poultry property in North East VIC.
Thankfully it is unrelated to the previous H7 strains in Victoria south west last year and the H5N1 that it is impacting overseas (but fortunately not in Australia!)
The current is message: ๐ฉ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐๐
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Owners with poultry (chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl) should watch their birds for clinic signs:
๐ sudden death
๐ฆrespiratory signs (loud or rapid breathing, coughing, sneezing, increased nasal secretions)
๐ฆsore eyes
๐ฅswelling of the head
๐purple discolouration of the comb and wattles
๐ค not eating
๐decreased egg production
๐ฆruffled feathers
๐ฆdepression
๐ฅclosed eyes
๐diarrhoea
๐nervous signs (twisted neck, inability to stay upright, inability to fly, uncoordinated movement, walking or swimming in circles, partial or full paralysis).
(Being aware of these signs is important but we also must acknowledge other diseases that are not Influenza, can present in these ways).
๐พ๐๐๐ ๐๐ ๐
๐? If any concerns please call Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or your local vet ASAP.
๐ฏ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐
? It is believed poultry are infected from wild birds eg migratory birds. Infected birds shed the virus in saliva, nasal discharge and faeces.
Eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets are still considered safe to consume.
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A H7 strain of high pathogenicity avian influenza virus has been confirmed at a commercial poultry farm in northern Victoria and restrictions are now in place.
This is unrelated to the previous detections of the H7 strains in Victoria and also different from the H5N1 avian influenza strain that is impacting the USA and other parts of the world.
A restricted area around the impacted property and a control area have been established to prevent movements that could spread the virus.
Agriculture Victoria has staff on the ground supporting the business and performing further investigations as necessary.
Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or your local vet.
Read more ๐
agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu
Mansfield Veterinary Clinic is a mixed practice consisting of four vets. Mansfield Veterinary Clinic services the town of Mansfield and its surrounding areas.
