A case of bird flu has been confirmed at an ACT poultry farm, the 11th property in Australia to be contaminated with the virus.
Tests revealed the property had tested positive for the strain of the virus that has affected eight farms in Victoria and two in New South Wales, with one million chickens needing to be destroyed.
A quarantine order has been established around the poultry farm, which will include a 10 kilometer radius of the affected site.
ACT Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti said the virus had been traced to one of the affected properties in New South Wales.
‘The property has been cooperating with ACT government officials. Increased biosecurity measures were implemented on site prior to detection to minimise the risk of contact or spread,’ she said.
One million chickens to be destroyed in New South Wales and Victoria as bird flu outbreak worsens
Case of bird flu confirmed at ACT poultry farm (file image)
“The ACT has been regularly engaging with industry on good biosecurity practice to reduce the risks of an avian influenza outbreak in the ACT.”
Woolworths customers have been limited to two cartons of eggs in parts of the country as the bird flu outbreak chokes off supplies.
A Woolworths spokeswoman said a two-pack purchase limit had been introduced in New South Wales, ACT and Victoria to manage stock delays.
“Along with other retailers, we expect a short-term delay in stock at one of our egg suppliers in New South Wales, ACT and Victoria, due to the temporary closure of one of their packaging warehouses,” the spokeswoman said.
“Their supply is expected to recover over the next week as they ramp up operations at their other sites.”
Woolworths introduced a two-box limit in NSW, the ACT and Victoria and Coles imposed similar restrictions earlier this month.
Coles introduced a similar policy at the beginning of June.
NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said the government was working closely with the ACT to manage the outbreak.
“The ACT Commercial Egg Farm has been closed with no produce, eggs or machinery allowed in or out, and chickens will need to be depopulated from the site,” Mr Moriarty said.
Vassarotti has tried to ensure ACT residents’ eggs are still safe to eat.
“I want to reassure all Canberrans that bird flu rarely affects humans,” he said.
A quarantine order has been put in place around the ACT poultry farm, which will include a 10km radius of the affected site.
“Bird flu is not a food safety issue. It is safe to continue eating poultry, eggs and poultry products as long as they are handled and cooked properly.”
Victorian Agriculture Minister Ros Spence launched two mobile command centers on Thursday to help manage the state’s outbreaks.
“Biosecurity emergencies can happen in any corner of our state and these new mobile incident command centers are key to ensuring we can get our expertise into the field as quickly and efficiently as possible,” Ms Spence said.