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Avian Influenza detected in NSW
The NSW Government enacted its emergency biosecurity incident plan on Wednesday 19 June 2024 to contain the detection of avian influenza in the Hawkesbury district on a poultry egg farm.
Following testing by the CSIRO national research laboratory it was confirmed that Avian Influenza H7N8 has been detected in a mixed barnyard and free-range poultry farm in the Hawkesbury.
In response, the NSW Government rolled out its biosecurity incident plan, developed in line with the national approach for avian influenza.
The following actions were undertaken within a 24 hour period:
- Tested samples with CSIRO to detect the bird flu type
- Locked down the affected egg farm
- Issued a control order to depopulate the farm of its birds and to dispose of the remains in a biosecure manner working with the EPA on disposal
- Commenced depopulating the farm, in a humane manner, following Australian Veterinary guidelines.
- Activated the funding agreement with the Commonwealth government, egg industry, and other states, to release compensation funds for directly impacted producers
- Spoken with surrounding chicken industry farms, which activated their bird flu plans and locked down their businesses.
On Thursday another control order to legally lock down the movement of machinery, materials, animals and transport within a radius of 2 kilometres of the affected egg farm was put in place.
The localised lockdown order would cover three large commercial poultry farms that would be monitored for any signs of the virus. There was to be no movement of eggs or birds or machinery out of the zone during the control order.
NSW Farmers was working with the Department of Primary Industries to ensure any affected egg or poultry producer had the support they needed when they needed it.
“Our focus is on biosecurity for all farmers with poultry including rapid identification and containment to help safeguard the health and safety of our birds,” a spokesman said.
“It is important to report any symptoms in birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, including in backyard hens.”
For more information, please visit the NSW DPI website.
