Source: THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
BIRD flu has been confirmed in a flock of 400,000 layer hens near Young in the State’s west.
However NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Ian Roth said the flu was the H7 Avian Influenza strain, not the highly dangerous H5N1 strain that can pass to humans and has gained worldwide attention. .
The property has been quarantined and the NSW Department of Primary Industry’s “First Response Team” was working with the property owners and the egg industry, he said.
“The remaining birds on the property will now be culled in-line with national agreements.
“Control restrictions are now in place within a 10km radius of the quarantined egg farm and extensive surveillance and tracing is now underway to ensure the virus does not spread,” he said.
The NSW Food Authority has confirmed that there are no food safety issues and that poultry and eggs remain safe to eat.
Mr Roth said Australia has previously had a small number of outbreaks of H7 Avian Influenza viruses which were all quickly and successfully eradicated.
GREEK WORLD MEDIA 