September 21st, 2024Bird flu info stalls to update community
Agriculture Victoria will be running pop-up information stalls to update the community on bird flu in coming weeks with all interested members of the public able to attend.
The information stalls are scheduled to be held for
- Sunday 29 September: Colour Terang Festival – 9:30 am – 3 pm
- Saturday 5 October: Golden Plains Farmers’ Market: 8:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Saturday 5 October: Terang Local Market: 9 am – 1 pm.
As no further cases of avian influenza have been detected in Victoria since 24 June, the restricted areas around Meredith and Terang have been removed and replaced with control areas. The size of the control areas in both regions have been reduced to match the former restricted areas. They are in the Golden Plains and Corangamite shires.
The housing requirement in the newly designated control areas has been lifted, meaning birds no longer need to remain inside enclosures.
Permits for moving birds, poultry products, and equipment are still required for poultry premises in the control areas.
Agriculture Victoria continues to respond to the detection of avian influenza at 8 poultry farms. Avian influenza is a viral disease of birds found globally. Virus strains are described as low pathogenicity (LPAI) or high pathogenicity (HPAI).
Seven infected properties close to Meredith were infected with a dangerous strain of avian influenza called H7N3. A property near Terang was infected with a highly contagious strain called H7N9.
Disease monitoring is in place in the control areas. Early detection helps to stop disease spreading beyond control areas.
All properties remain in quarantine and poultry has been safely and humanely disposed of.
