Bird flu outbreak strikes commercial poultry farm
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Global threats may not only threaten everyone's health—it can also threaten livelihoods and basic needs such as food.
For the past few months, Australia has been facing a virus, prompting several preventative measures.
Rural life in New South Wales was recently shaken by the detection of avian influenza in the area, sparking concern among farmers and consumers.
A commercial poultry farm in Hawkesbury detected several affected animals on their farm.
A CSIRO laboratory confirmed last Wednesday that the detected HPAI H7N8 strain is distinct from the global H5N1 strain.
It is also unrelated to the recent outbreaks involving the H7N3 and H7N9 strains in Victoria.
According to NSW Health, the HPAI H7N8 strain may have been brought by wild birds.
The affected farm was immediately locked down, and a biosecurity control zone now covers a 2 km radius around it.
'The impacted property is under quarantine, and NSW DPI is working closely with the impacted property using well-established national response arrangements to manage the outbreak,' The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) stated.
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is not a new threat.
Still, it should be taken seriously due to its potential impact on poultry and, in several cases, human health.
Over a million chickens and ducks were euthanised in NSW and Victoria as part of the containment strategy.
This has led to a ripple effect on the availability of eggs in supermarkets.
Coles recently imposed a temporary purchase limit of two egg cartons per customer to prevent stockpiling.
However, this restriction does not apply to Western Australia.
'Avian influenza (bird flu) is not a food safety concern, and it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked chicken meat, eggs and egg products,' Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) reassured the public.
'There is no evidence to show the virus can be transmitted to people through properly prepared food,' they added.
'NSW consumers should not be concerned about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets,' the NSW DPI emphasised.
However, they advised the public to avoid direct contact with sick or deceased birds and to practise good hygiene when handling animals in general.
While the risk to humans is very low, a human case of bird flu was reported a month ago.
A child in Victoria acquired an H5N1 infection after a trip to India, leading to health concerns.
However, health officials assured that human transmission of avian influenza was rare, and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission for the H5N1 strain.
While enjoying the convenience of supermarket poultry products, it's also wise to keep abreast of local news and any health advisories.
Any suspicion of an emergency animal disease should be reported immediately through the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888 or a local veterinarian.
Have you noticed any changes in your local supermarket? Have you taken any additional precautions when handling poultry? Join the conversation and share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.
For the past few months, Australia has been facing a virus, prompting several preventative measures.
Rural life in New South Wales was recently shaken by the detection of avian influenza in the area, sparking concern among farmers and consumers.
A commercial poultry farm in Hawkesbury detected several affected animals on their farm.
A CSIRO laboratory confirmed last Wednesday that the detected HPAI H7N8 strain is distinct from the global H5N1 strain.
It is also unrelated to the recent outbreaks involving the H7N3 and H7N9 strains in Victoria.
According to NSW Health, the HPAI H7N8 strain may have been brought by wild birds.
Several chickens are set to be euthanised soon to prevent the spread of the avian influenza. ImageCredit: Pexels/Magda Ehlers
The affected farm was immediately locked down, and a biosecurity control zone now covers a 2 km radius around it.
'The impacted property is under quarantine, and NSW DPI is working closely with the impacted property using well-established national response arrangements to manage the outbreak,' The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) stated.
Bird flu, or avian influenza, is not a new threat.
Still, it should be taken seriously due to its potential impact on poultry and, in several cases, human health.
Over a million chickens and ducks were euthanised in NSW and Victoria as part of the containment strategy.
This has led to a ripple effect on the availability of eggs in supermarkets.
Coles recently imposed a temporary purchase limit of two egg cartons per customer to prevent stockpiling.
However, this restriction does not apply to Western Australia.
'Avian influenza (bird flu) is not a food safety concern, and it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked chicken meat, eggs and egg products,' Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) reassured the public.
'There is no evidence to show the virus can be transmitted to people through properly prepared food,' they added.
'NSW consumers should not be concerned about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets,' the NSW DPI emphasised.
However, they advised the public to avoid direct contact with sick or deceased birds and to practise good hygiene when handling animals in general.
While the risk to humans is very low, a human case of bird flu was reported a month ago.
A child in Victoria acquired an H5N1 infection after a trip to India, leading to health concerns.
However, health officials assured that human transmission of avian influenza was rare, and there is no evidence of human-to-human transmission for the H5N1 strain.
While enjoying the convenience of supermarket poultry products, it's also wise to keep abreast of local news and any health advisories.
Any suspicion of an emergency animal disease should be reported immediately through the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline at 1800 675 888 or a local veterinarian.
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