The Victorian state government has reported the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at a third poultry farm near Melbourne, Australia. However, this latest outbreak is not caused by the same strain that has spread globally and raised concerns about potential human transmission.
According to the authorities, the third farm is located within a few kilometers of the first farm that reported the infection, and both have the same H7N3 strain of the virus. The other farm previously affected had an H7N9 strain.
All three farms have been placed under quarantine, and movement restrictions have been imposed in the surrounding areas as a precautionary measure.
Graeme Cooke, Victoria’s chief veterinary officer, stated that the detection of avian influenza at the additional property was not unexpected and was the result of ongoing surveillance activities within the restricted and control areas.
The government has emphasized that this outbreak poses no risk to consumers of eggs and poultry products. This is the ninth outbreak of HPAI in Australia since 1976, all of which have been successfully contained and eradicated.
In recent years, a different strain of bird flu, H5N1, has spread globally, killing large numbers of farmed and wild birds. This strain has also infected several mammal species, including cattle in the United States, and has caused a small number of human infections in the U.S. and Australia.
The latest detection of HPAI in Australia’s poultry industry, while concerning, is not linked to the more widespread and potentially more dangerous H5N1 strain that has been a global concern. The authorities are focused on containing and eradicating the current outbreak to protect the health of poultry and ensure the safety of poultry products for consumers.