Returning to normal but more than 450,000 birds depopulated

With no properties testing positive to the disease since August 25, 2020, Agriculture Victoria has made some more changes.

Earlier this week, on January 4, the body made changes in Golden Plains Shire - the wider control area has been removed and the former restricted area at the heart of the outbreak has been downgraded to a control area. The restricted area near Bairnsdale has also been downgraded to a control area.

It comes after the avian flu - more commonly known as bird flu - was detected at a poultry farm in Lethbridge mid last year.

In total, four poultry farms near Lethbridge, a turkey farm near Bairnsdale and an emu farm near Kerang were impacted by the contagious bird flu disease in July and August 2020.

Three different strains of avian influenza were detected during the outbreak.

These included the highly pathogenic H7NZ strain at three egg farms and the low pathogenic H5N2 strain at two turkey farms.

The low pathogenic H7N6 strain was diagnosed at the emu farm.

The outbreak had a devastating impact, with more than 450,000 birds "depopulated" - or destroyed - across the six affected farms.

The revised control area near Lethbridge now spans five kilometres and covers all of the infected properties while the control area near Bairnsdale is even smaller - one kilometre around the turkey farm.

It follows the restricted area near Kerang being made a control area on December 2, 2020. A two kilometre control area is in place around the emu farm.

A movement permit is still required to move poultry, poultry products, equipment or vehicles involved in poultry into, out of or within the control area.

This means it is illegal to buy, sell or move eggs, manure and chickens - whether on the side of the road, from the property, local store, online or at markets without a permit.

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Victoria's Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Graeme Cooke, said the development was a positive step forward.

"Recent adjustments to the movement restrictions in Golden Plains Shire and Bairnsdale reflect the significant progress made in eradicating avian influenza from Victoria and supports the poultry industry returning to normal," Dr Cooke said.

Agriculture Victoria said surveillance of both domestic and wild birds had formed a key part of its response to eradicate the disease and would continue, with teams continuing to collect and test birds for signs of the disease.

But the community also has a part to play.

While the threat has diminished, avian influenza is carried by wild birds but can be contracted by domestic poultry, so producers and poultry owners are reminded to follow good biosecurity practices to prevent a recurrence of the disease.

Bird owners are requested to continue to monitor their birds for signs of sickness and disease.

These signs include, but are not limited to, sudden death, respiratory distress, swelling of the head, purple discolouration of the comb and wattles, coughing, sneezing and reduced food and water intake.

Apply for a movement permit online and an Agriculture Victoria staff member will contact you.

You can also call the Customer Contact Centre on (03) 4334 2715 (Monday-Friday 9 am - 5 pm) for advice on a permit.

Report any sick or dead birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Watch Hotline on 1800 675 888.

For more information, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu