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Bird flu experts fly
down to Victoria
Animal disease experts from the Department of Primary Industries have been sent to Victoria to assist in managing a case of Avian Influenza at a commercial duck farm north-west of Melbourne.
NSW Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Ian Roth said his officers had extensive experience in exotic disease emergencies and would work closely with the Victorian authorities out of a response centre in Melbourne’s north-west.
“Adrian Knobel of Wagga Wagga and Michael Davy from Taree were appointed to the project team based on their strong animal health skills and previous experience, including with outbreaks of Equine Influenza and Hendra in horses,” Dr Roth said.
“Adrian and Michael will be involved in a range of activities, including the containment of the disease.”
He said the affected farms in Victoria had been placed under strict quarantine and no birds, eggs, meat or associated equipment could be taken off the property.
“The strain detected in Victoria is different to the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain,” he said.
“The previous six outbreaks of Avian Influenza in Australia have all been successfully contained and eradicated.”
Dr Roth said the deployment of resources to Victoria built on additional measures being put in place to keep NSW free of the virus.
“Working with the Victorian authorities we’ve completed an extensive tracing exercise to rule out any risks to NSW’s poultry industry,” he said.
Dr Roth said the case in Victoria was a timely reminder for NSW poultry producers to review their biosecurity measures.
“Simple biosecurity measures can help prevent this disease as well as other disease outbreaks,” he said.
“Where possible, producers should minimise the contact between their domestic birds and wild birds and other animals.”
He said NSW poultry producers should also prevent contamination of food and water by faeces or other animal waste; keep equipment and poultry yards or aviaries clean; practice good hygiene if attending bird shows; limit visitors to their birds; and quarantine new birds.
Edition 257, 8 February 2012
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