Victorian Egg Farm Under Lockdown After Bird Flu Detected

Victoria’s agricultural department on May 22 advised that they had placed an egg farm into quarantine with staff on-site conducting investigations, after detecting bird flu. “Preliminary testing has confirmed the presence of avian influenza virus at an egg farm near Meredith,” Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cooke said. “Agriculture Victoria is responding with staff on the ground supporting the business with further laboratory investigations as necessary.” After a number of poultry deaths, samples have been sent to the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) away, to identify the strain of bird flu, the department stated. According to the department, the strain of avian influenza that has spread globally, HPAI clade 2.3.4.4b, and is said to be causing significant bird mortality has not yet been detected in Australia....