November 30th, 2024Meredith bird flu control area reduced

Agriculture Victoria has reduced the size of the control area around Meredith that was put in place for the current H7 avian influenza outbreak.

Two more properties in the Meredith area had their quarantine status lifted on 12 November while four properties had remaine under the last stages of quarantine.

However, from Tuesday 19 November, the Meredith control area was 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.

Eight properties were confirmed to have a high pathogenicity H7N3 and H7N9 strains of avian influenza earlier this year.

No new avian influenza cases have been detected since 24 June 2024.

Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said that Agriculture Victoria takes a risk-based approach to establishing and managing control areas and is prepared to move quickly when a lower risk is identified and properties come out of quarantine.

‘Sentinel birds or long fallow periods are being used on the impacted properties as a process of ensuring the farms can safely resume commercial operations.

‘We anticipate that all infected properties will be resolved by the end of this year, which is a significant step towards proof of freedom from avian influenza,’ Dr Cooke said.

If you are a poultry farmer, backyard flock owner or bird owner, report any unexplained bird deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline on 1800 675 888. Your cooperation is crucial in protecting the health of all birds in the area.

Resources and contact details for industry and individual support are available in our resource directory.

More information, including movement permits, maps, and compensation details is available online at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza.