Authorities and farmers are on alert, as the strain of bird flu found at a Victorian farm has been confirmed, while another unrelated strain of avian influenza has been detected in Western Australia. / (min cost $ 0 ) or signup to continue reading Mass culling of 400,000 chickens is continuing on the Meredith farm, about 40km northwest of Geelong, after a number of poultry died from the virus. 'The strain of the virus detected near Meredith is H7N3, which is different from the H5N1 avian influenza strain that's impacting the USA and other parts of the world," Victoria's Chief Veterinarian Graeme Cooke said.

"While cases among humans in direct contact with animals infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses are possible, the current risk to the public remains low." A quarantine area has been set up around the farm and extra biosecurity measures are in place. In WA, biosecurity measures have been tightened on a poultry farm in the state's southwest after an unrelated strain of avian influenza was found.

Authorities say the WA detection is a low path H9N2 strain and not connected to the Victorian outbreak. "H9 strains of avian influenza are known to occur in wild bird populations in Australia and have previously been detected in WA," the state's acting chief vet Katie Webb said. "The property is currently under a pest control notice to manage the movement of relevant animals and products off the property.

" On Wednesday, a child was confirmed as Australia's first huma.