The supply of eggs in shops could be impacted within days as a deadly bird flu strain spreads to a third Victorian poultry farm. / (min cost $ 0 ) or signup to continue reading Avian influenza strain H7N3 has been detected at property near Meredith in the state's southwest, sparking a safety alert for all bird owners including farmers and households with backyard chickens. Victorian Farmers Federation vice president and egg farmer Danyel Cucinotta said the industry was doing everything possible to keep up the supply of fresh and affordable eggs.
"We're anticipating a flow-on impact to egg supplies in the coming week and are working as hard as possible to maintain availability," Ms Cucinotta said. "My advice is to shop around at your local grocer, market or small independent store to buy your eggs." An alert issued by Agriculture Victoria states consumers should not worry about supermarket eggs and poultry products because they do not pose a risk and are safe to consume.
The latest farm caught in the outbreak is within an existing five kilometre exclusion zone set up after the virus was detected at a nearby property in May. About 500,000 birds were culled after avian influenza was detected at two farms operated by Avgo and Surf Coast Eggs Farms, which share management, staff and machinery across sites in Meredith and Terang. Authorities have not revealed whether birds will be culled after the latest find, but the property has been placed under quarantine while more tests are c.
