The last restrictions in Golden Plains Shire have been lifted with no further detection of avian influenza in the area.

It comes after the virus, also known as 'bird flu', was confirmed at four poultry farms near Lethbridge and one near Bairnsdale, as well as an emu farm near Kerang, in July and August 2020.

Decontamination processes were undertaken at all six infected farms to control and eradicate the virus, with more than 450,000 birds depopulated.

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

Three egg farms were found to have the highly pathogenic H7N7 avian influenza, while two turkey farms were diagnosed with the low pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza strain.

The emu farm, meanwhile, was diagnosed with low pathogenic H7N6 avian influenza.

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Agriculture Victoria is continuing to surveil both domestic and wild birds on the farms and in surrounding areas for any sign of the virus.

In a positive sign the control areas near Lethbridge and Kerang were lifted this week as surveillance has found no further cases.

This means that permits are no longer required to move poultry, poultry products and vehicles involved in poultry productions in these areas.

However, a small control area of one-kilometre remains around the turkey farm near Bairnsdale.

Wild birds are considered a natural host for the virus but usually show no signs of disease.

Either through direct contact between wild and domestic birds or indirectly through wild birds accessing their feed or water, domestic birds can sometimes contract the virus.

Domestic poultry, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants, emus and ostriches are most susceptible to being affected by avian influenza.

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging all poultry and captive bird owners to continue to follow good biosecurity practices to prevent a recurrence of the disease.

Owners are also requested to continue monitoring their birds for any signs of sickness and disease.

This includes but is not limited to: sudden death, respiratory disease, swelling of the head, purple discolouration of the comb and wattles, coughing, sneezing and decreased feed and water and egg production.

For more information, visit: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-fluv

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