2024-06-27
The ACT Government advises a site in the ACT has tested positive for the presence of Avian Influenza (bird flu).
Minister for the Environment, Parks and Land Management said that the positive test sample is an outcome from tracing and surveillance activities.
“One property in the ACT has returned a positive result for the HPAI H7N8 strain of Avian Influenza,” Minister Vassarotti said.
“A quarantine order including movement restrictions will be in place for the control area today which will include a 10km radius of the infected property.
“This site was traced from an infected property in NSW. Since then, the ACT Government assessed the biosecurity of the site and commenced a surveillance program. This positive detection is a result of these surveillance activities, demonstrating the effectiveness of our response measures.
“The property has been cooperating with ACT Government officials. Increased biosecurity measures were implemented at the site prior to detection to minimise the risk of contact or spread.
“The ACT has regularly been engaging with industry on good biosecurity practices to decrease the risks of an outbreak of Avian Influenza in the ACT. We also remain strongly engaged in national biosecurity arrangements to respond to and contain the outbreak of Avian influenza in poultry facilities in NSW and Victoria, as well as the ACT.
“I want to reassure all Canberrans that Avian Influenza rarely affects humans. Avian Influenza in humans is a notifiable condition in the ACT and nationally, meaning clinicians and laboratories must notify ACT Health of any people with suspected avian influenza. There are no reports of any human with Avian Influenza in the ACT.
“Surveillance for human cases is undertaken as a part of the ACT’s Notifiable Disease Surveillance Program.
“Avian Influenza is not a food safety concern. It is safe to continue eating poultry meat, eggs and egg products as long as they are properly handled and cooked.
“ACT Health is developing health information and advice for anyone concerned about potential contact. This will be shared with the community, clinicians and any close contacts that may be identified.
“We will continue to provide further information to the community and local industry as more information becomes known,” said Minister Vassarotti.
Avian influenza is a notifiable animal disease and any suspected or confirmed cases must be reported immediately to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
For updates on the current disease situation and for information on movement restrictions, visit outbreak.gov.au or for ACT specific information visit the ACT Environment website.
Information about avian influenza and food safety is available from the Food Standards Australian New Zealand website.