A top epidemiologist has warned New Zealanders to be vigilant after two bird flu incursions have hit an Australian state . Avian influenza was detected on an egg farm in Victoria’s west, identified as the H7N3 strain. Hundreds of thousands of birds are set to be euthanised following the outbreak.
Meanwhile, a child who returned to Victoria from India in March experienced a “severe infection” after contracting the H5N1 strain but has made a full recovery. It was the first human case of H5N1 avian influenza in Australia . Distinguished Professor of infectious disease epidemiology and public health, Nigel French, said the two incidents underline the importance of preparedness for an incursion of the virus into New Zealand.
“Bird flu requires a co-ordinated ‘One Health’ multi-agency approach to surveillance and response, given its importance to wildlife and domestic animals, and the potential for it to spillover and cause severe disease in humans,” French said. This is the second time an outbreak of a strain of avian influenza has emerged in Australian egg producers in the past few years. Early testing has found avian influenza in poultry at a Meredith egg farm.
Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report cases of unexplained bird deaths to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or your local vet. 👉 https://t.co/bq6qMabTvC pic.
twitter.com/UtkYmkXRJz One of the strains in the last bird flu outbreak in Australia in 2020, which.
