Agriculture Victoria has confirmed a fourth case of H7N8 highly pathogenic Avian Influenza on a commercial egg farm in Euroa. This new detection falls within the 5-kilometer restricted area and is in close proximity to the three other previously infected properties, the most recent of which was detected on February 20.

Agriculture Victoria personnel are on-site, collaborating closely with industry partners to contain and eradicate the virus. Depopulation of poultry has been completed at the first two infected properties, with work currently underway at the third and fourth sites. Control orders have been in place since the initial detection of H7 on an egg farm on February 8. These orders restrict the movement of poultry, poultry products, equipment, and vehicles on or off properties in designated zones around the infected sites to prevent the spread of the disease. A housing requirement remains in effect for properties with 50 or more birds within the restricted area. This area encompasses Euroa and extends approximately 5 kilometers in all directions from the affected properties. ACMF would like to reassure consumers that supermarket eggs and poultry products remain safe for consumption and that there is no discernible impact on the supply of poultry meat products at the retail level at this time.

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed the presence of H7N8 high pathogenicity Avian Influenza (bird flu) on a third commerical egg farm in Euroa. This new detection is in close proximity to the two previously infected properties. The ACMF is working closely with AgVic and the industry to contain and eradicate the virus as quickly as possible.

Control orders have been in place since H7 was first detected on a poultry farm on 8 February, restricting the movement of poultry, poultry products, equipment, and vehicles on or off properties in the restricted and control areas to prevent disease spread. These zones include a restricted area covering a 5-kilometre radius around the farms, with a broader control area spanning east of the Goulburn Valley Freeway, including the townships of Euroa, Violet Town, Longwood, Ruffy, Avenel, and Strathbogie.

With the confirmation of H7N8 on a third property, a housing requirement remains in place for properties with 50 or more poultry in the restricted area. This includes Euroa and extends approximately 5 kilometres from the affected properties in all directions. To reduce the risk of further disease, birds on these properties must be kept in cages or sheds to avoid contact with other birds. This proven method minimises direct contact between poultry and wild birds.

Supermarket eggs and poultry products remain safe to consume, and there is no discernible impact on the poultry meat supply at the retail level at this stage.

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed H7 avian influenza at two interconnected commercial egg facilities in northern Victoria, both under quarantine.

CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong identified the high pathogenicity H7N8 strain, unrelated to the 2024 outbreaks in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory, which were successfully eradicated.

This strain is not the H5N1 bird flu affecting other regions globally.

A 5 km restricted area surrounds the infected properties, within a broader control area in Strathbogie Shire, east of the Goulburn Valley Highway, to prevent virus spread. Impacted townships include Euroa, Violet Town, Longwood, Ruffy, Avenel, and Strathbogie. Restrictions apply, including housing requirements for producers with over 50 poultry in the restricted area.

All movements of poultry and poultry products, including eggs, within, into, or out of the declared controlled areas are prohibited without a permit. This restriction covers the collection, processing, and packaging of eggs, as well as the transport of poultry meat and carcasses. Exemptions allow vehicles transporting livestock and other agricultural products to use the Hume Highway. To apply for a permit, please visit https://forms.bio.vic.gov.au and navigate to the ‘Agriculture Victoria Permits; Avian Influenza’ section.

Agriculture Victoria is actively responding, in collaboration with property owners. Humane depopulation of poultry has been completed at the first site, with operations to continue at the second property.

We again reiterate that there is no discernible impact on the supply of poultry meat products at the retail level at this stage.

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed avian influenza at a poultry property in northern Victoria, which is now under quarantine.

The Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong identified the virus as high pathogenicity H7N8, distinct from the eradicated 2024 strains in Victoria, New South Wales, and the Australian Capital Territory.

Again, this is not the H5N1 strain of global concern. 

A 5 km restricted area surrounds the infected property, with a wider control area in Strathbogie Shire east of the Goulburn Valley Highway.

Control maps are available here: Avian influenza | Poultry diseases | Animal diseases | Biosecurity | Agriculture Victoria

All movements of poultry and poultry products, including eggs, within, into, or out of the declared controlled areas are prohibited without a permit. This restriction covers the collection, processing, and packaging of eggs, as well as the transport of poultry meat and carcasses.

Exemptions allow vehicles transporting livestock and other agricultural products to use the Hume Highway.

To apply for a permit, please visit https://forms.bio.vic.gov.au and navigate to the ‘Agriculture Victoria Permits; Avian Influenza’ section.

We reiterate that there is no discernible impact on the supply of poultry meat products at the retail level at this stage.

On 8 February 2025, Agriculture Victoria confirmed Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza H7N8 in poultry at an egg farm in Northern Victoria. The affected property has been placed under quarantine, and a declared area has been established in the eastern two-thirds of the Strathbogie Shire to prevent movements that could spread the disease. Importantly, this is a new outbreak and is not related to the 2024 outbreaks in Victoria, New South Wales, or the Australian Capital Territory, which have been successfully eradicated.

Dr. Mary Wu, CEO of ACMF, will represent the industry on the Consultative Committee for Emergency Animal Disease. Dr. Liam Morrisroe from Turosi Food Solutions Group has assumed the role of Liaison – Livestock Industry and will support the response efforts within Victoria. As a precaution, the Australian chicken meat industry has entered a high-alert phase, with companies implementing enhanced biosecurity measures throughout their operations.

At this stage, there is no discernible impact expected on chicken meat supplies at the retail level. 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 to your local vet.

For more information, please visit: Detection of avian influenza at Euroa poultry farm | Media releases | Media centre | About | Agriculture Victoria

Victoria

Agriculture Victoria is managing two distinct strains of high pathogenicity avian influenza across eight properties near Meredith and one property near Terang. As of the 9th July, commercial poultry on all infected premises have been depopulated. Ag VIC are now implementing procedures to decontaminate affected sites.

A comprehensive surveillance program remains in place in the restricted and control areas in order to detect the viruses. Movement restrictions and housing orders remain in place, and response activities align with AUSVETPLAN guidelines. Notably, the Victorian cases are unrelated to those in NSW and the ACT.

For detailed information regarding the current situation, movement controls, permits, and housing requirements, please visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

New South Wales

The NSW DPI is actively addressing cases of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) at two commercial poultry farms in the Hawkesbury region. As of the 9th of July, commercial poultry on all infected premises have been depopulated. Further disposal of organic materials is ongoing, following completion of disposal, efforts will be turning to decontamination of affected sites.

A comprehensive surveillance program continues to operate in the restricted and control areas to detect the viruses. A thorough surveillance program continues to operate in the restricted and control areas to detect viruses. Movement restrictions and housing orders are still enforced, with response activities following AUSVETPLAN guidelines. It is important to note that the cases in Victoria are unrelated to those in NSW and the ACT.

For detailed information regarding the current situation, movement controls, permits, and housing requirements, please visit www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/ai.

Australian Capital Territory

NSW and ACT are continuing to work together, following the detection of HPAI H7N8 at an egg farm in Canberra. Early identification of a link between the ACT and NSW cases facilitated prompt detection and response actions. The ACT Government has imposed a quarantine order to manage current avian influenza case, with affected properties under quarantine and birds disposed of following biosecurity protocols.

For more information, please visit: https://www.environment.act.gov.au/parks-conservation/plants-and-animals/biosecurity/biosecurity-alerts/avian-influenza

Poultry farmers, backyard flock owners, and bird keepers are strongly encouraged to promptly report any instances of unexplained bird illnesses or deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888.

The ACMF is aware of a single case of avian influenza (H7N8) at an egg layer farm within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). This strain is the same as the one previously found within NSW, and was detected as a result of proactive tracing and surveillance undertaken as part of the NSW disease investigation process. This is clear evidence that the veterinary response process is extremely effective at monitoring trace premises and enabling authorities to respond quickly.

The ACT Government is working closely with NSW DPI and the affected industry to respond to and contain this detection as quickly as possible.

The ACMF takes this opportunity to reiterate that despite recent outbreaks there is no discernable impact for chicken meat products on the retail level anticipated at this stage.

With this latest detection, the total number of affected commercial properties is now eleven:

Victoria: seven egg farms (six in the Golden Plains Shire and one in the Corangamite Shire), one duck farm (in the Golden Plains Shire)

NSW: a single egg farm and a single meat chicken farm in the Sydney Hawkesbury region

ACT: a single egg farm

The ACMF is aware of an eighth case of avian influenza (H7N3) at an egg layer farm within the existing Restricted Area (RA) in the Golden Plains Shire in Victoria. This strain is the same as the one previously found within the Shire.

A comprehensive surveillance program has been in place in the restricted and control areas in order to detect the presence of Avian Influenza. The identification of infected properties indicates that the intensified surveillance program is effectively detecting infections, allowing them to be controlled as early as possible.

With this latest detection, the total number of affected properties across Vicotria and NSW is now ten.

• Victoria: seven egg farms (six in the Golden Plains Shire and one in the Corangamite Shire), one duck farm (in the Golden Plains Shire).
• NSW: a single egg farm and a single meat chicken farm in the Sydney Hawkesbury region.

All properties have been placed in quarantine.

The Australian Chicken Meat Federation (ACMF) is aware of a single small free-range meat chicken farm in the Sydney Hawkesbury region, which through proactive and intensified surveillance, has detected avian influenza H7N8. This is the same strain that was recently detected at the nearby egg farm in Freeman’s Reach.

Importantly the H7N8 strain detected in NSW is not the same as the H5N1 strain that is causing concern globally and is not connected to the Victorian outbreak. HPAI has been eradicated from NSW three times before, the most recent being in Young in 2013.

The ACMF understands that as part of the NSW Department of Primary Industries’ disease response, the meat chicken farm will be proactively depopulated to reduce the potential disease risk to other poultry farms and backyard flocks in neighbouring areas.

As a precaution, the Australian chicken meat industry has been on alert for some weeks, and all companies have implemented enhanced biosecurity measures throughout their operations on top of existing high standards of biosecurity.

This single detection on a chicken meat farm is not expected to have any impact on chicken meat availability at the retail level. Consumers can be assured that the Australian chicken meat industry is taking every precaution to enable the ongoing, reliable and consistent supply of Australia’s favourite meat.

The above statement is authorised by Dr Mary Wu, CEO Australian Chicken Meat Federation

Media enquiries:
Please contact NSW DPI in the first instance for the latest information on the disease response: ns**********@dp*.au or (02) 6391 3686

For specific chicken meat supply related queries, please email: ac**@ch*****.au

The ACMF is continuing to engage with the NSW DPI and AgVic in response to the Avian Influenza outbreaks affecting the egg and duck meat industries in their respective states.

The ACMF is continuing to collaborate with the NSW DPI on a single Avian Influenza outbreak at an egg farm and with AgVic in response to seven Avian Influenza outbreaks at egg farms and one at a duck farm. 

Our CEO, Dr. Mary Wu will continue to represent the chicken meat industry on the Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease (CCEAD).

The chicken meat industry is not implicated in either of these outbreaks. There is no discernable impact for chicken meat products on the retail level anticipated at this stage. 

The ACMF is aware of a sixth case of avian influenza (H7N3) at a Duck Farm within the existing Restricted Area (RA) in the Golden Plains Shire. This strain is the same as the one previously found at the Meredith egg farms.

The farm has been quarantined and AgVIC field teams have been deployed to the area to ensure the continuance of disease limiting activities in accordance with the AUSVETPLAN Response Strategy for Avian Influenza.

With this latest detection, the total number of affected properties is now six: five egg farms (four in the Golden Plains Shire and one in the Corangamite Shire) and one duck farm (in the Golden Plains Shire).

The ACMF reiterates that meat chicken farms are not affected, and at this stage, no discernible impact is expected on chicken meat supplies at the retail level.

 Further information, including an interactive map of the Declared Areas, can be found on AgVIC website:

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

The ACMF is aware that another case of avian influenza (H7N3) has been detected through Declared Area surveillance testing at an egg farm. It is the same strain of avian influenza detected at the Meredith egg farm.

This latest detection takes the total number of detections to 5 egg farms (that is, 4 egg farms in the Golden Plains Shire, and one egg farm in the Corangamite Shire). The latest detection is further evidence that the animal health surveillance systems implemented by AgVIC are highly effective at catching the disease very early on, which provides veterinary officials the best opportunity to contain and eradicate the virus.

Further information, including an interactive map of the Declared Areas, can be found on AgVIC website:

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

The ACMF is aware that another case of avian influenza (H7N3) has been detected through Declared Area surveillance testing at an egg farm, close to the original Meredith egg farm. It is the same strain of avian influenza detected at the Meredith egg farm. 

This latest detection takes the total number of detections to 4 egg farms (that is, 3 egg farms in the Golden Plains Shire, and one egg farm in the Corangamite Shire). The latest detection is further evidence that the animal health surveillance systems implemented by AgVIC are highly effective at catching the disease very early on, which provides veterinary officials the best opportunity to contain and eradicate the virus.

Further information, including an interactive map of the Declared Areas, can be found on AgVIC website:

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

The ACMF is aware that avian influenza (H7N3) has been detected through routine Control Zone surveillance testing at a third egg farm, in Lethbridge Victoria, close to the Meredith egg farm. It is the same strain of avian influenza detected at the Meredith egg farm.  This detection is evidence that the animal health surveillance systems implemented by AgVIC are highly effective at catching the disease very early on, which provides veterinary officials the best opportunity to contain and eradicate the virus.

Full details can be viewed:

https://www.farmpride.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ASX-04.06.2024-Operations-Update-Avian-Influenza.pdf

The ACMF reiterates that meat chicken farms are not affected, and at this stage, no discernible impact is expected on chicken meat supplies at the retail level.

Positively, both the Meredith and Terang egg farms are anticipated to finalise their initial containment and control response measures today. Both farms will continue to undergo intensified monitoring and surveillance by AgVIC, as per standard response protocols. Routine monitoring of poultry farms in the control areas, and wild bird environmental sampling is continuing as well. Importantly, there have been no further detections or any evidence of disease spread at this stage.

For the latest updates from AgVIC:

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

The ACMF is currently working with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry (DAFF) to expedite the reinstatement of export health certification for chicken meat products. Australian exporters experiencing any difficulties with poultry meat and meat products are encouraged to contact the DAFF Trade Preparedness Team via email: ex*************@af*.au

Tracing and surveillance activities are continuing. Surveillance visits have also been completed for three other premises linked to the first IP. These properties have returned negative results for AI.

An Emergency Animal Disease Response Plan was developed, endorsed by the National Consultative Committee on Emergency Animal Disease and approved by the National Management Group.

Movement controls and housing requirements are still in place restricting the movement of birds, poultry products, feed and equipment on or off properties in designated areas around the two infected premises.

Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226, your local vet, or the EAD hotline on 1800 675 888.

Over the weekend, AgVIC has continued their immediate response efforts to eradicate avian influenza from both the Meredith and Terang egg farms as quickly as possible. At this point, the disease incidents appear to be limited to those two egg farms, and comprehensive disease surveillance and tracing has not identified any further positives. The ACMF together with the peak bodies for the egg sector continues to regularly meet with AgVIC and provide industry support and technical advice, including through our Livestock Liaison Industry officers deployed to assist AgVIC in the field.

The ACMF is also working closely with the Commonwealth Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to minimise export trade disruptions resulting from the avian influenza detections. Australian exporters experiencing any difficulties with poultry meat and meat products are encouraged to contact the DAFF Trade Preparedness Team via email: ex*************@af*.au

AgVIC has reported that through their disease investigation and tracing activities of the Meredith incident, a second egg farm at Terang VIC has now been confirmed to have tested positive for avian influenza (H7N9).

While the property in Terang is directly connected with the Meredith property (through joint management, staff and machinery), CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness analysis of the samples from the properties has found that they are two different strains of H7. It is important to emphasise that both strains (H7N3 and H7N9) are closely related to low pathogenic avian influenza viruses recently detected in wild bird samples in Australia.

Both properties have been quarantined and AgVIC veterinary field teams have been deployed to the areas to enforce movement restrictions and undertake activities to contain and eradicate the virus.

Taking a precautionary approach to reduce the opportunity for wildbird interactions with domestic poultry, AgVIC has now issued a Housing Order for the Meredith and Terang Control Zones while the disease response is under way. Under the Housing Order, all poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners must house or keep their birds enclosed in cages or sheds. Penalties apply for those who do not follow these restrictions. Housing birds is an effective method of minimising direct contact with wild birds that can carry the disease with no apparent symptoms.

The ACMF strongly supports the AgVIC precautionary approach undertaken with the Housing Order, noting that all meat chicken producers operating in VIC have already proactively implemented enhanced biosecurity measures.

The ACMF reiterates that at this stage, no discernible impact is expected on chicken meat supplies at the retail level.

For more information on the current situation, visit:

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu

Testing at the CSIRO’s Australian Centre of Disease Preparedness (ACDP) has confirmed the Meredith egg farm avian influenza detection is caused by H7N3, not the H5N1 strain of avian influenza that is currently causing concern globally.

The affected property has been quarantined and AgVIC field teams have been deployed to the area to implement movement restrictions and disease limiting activities. The on-the-ground response to this incident is in accordance with the AUSVETPLAN Response Strategy for Avian Influenza, which can be found at animalhealthaustralia.com.au

The ACMF reiterates that at this stage, no discernible impact is expected on chicken meat supplies at the retail level.

For more information on avian influenza and the current response, visit:

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/2024-releases/movement-controls-in-place-for-avian-influenza

The ACMF is aware of a single detection of Avian Influenza on an egg farm in Victoria. Victorian veterinary authorities have quarantined the egg farm and have stopped all movements onto and off this farm, in order to eradicate the virus as quickly as possible.

It has been confirmed that the virus is Avian Influenza, however it does not appear to be the virulent strain, clade 2.3.4.4b that has affected large populations of avian and other species internationally.

The Consultative Committee for Emergency Animal Disease (CCEAD) will be held today. Dr Mary Wu, ACMF CEO will represent the industry in the CCEAD. Dr Bany Oyay, from Turosi Food Solutions Group, has taken on the role of Liaison – Livestock Industry, and will support the response from within Victoria.

As a precaution, the Australian chicken meat industry has entered an alert phase and companies have implemented enhanced biosecurity measures throughout their operations. At this stage, no discernible impact is expected on chicken meat supplies at the retail level.

For more information on Avian Influenza and the current response visit:

https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/about/media-centre/media-releases/2024-releases/detection-of-avian-influenza-at-meredith-poultry-farm