Australia: HPAI (H7N8) in Victoria
Agriculture Victoria has confirmed the presence of avian influenza at a poultry property in northern Victoria. Diagnostic testing performed by Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness at Geelong confirmed high pathogenicity H7N8, which is different to the strain that impacted Victorian poultry farms during 2024. Although the 2024 New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory outbreak was also an H7N8 virus, the current laboratory has advised that the current Victorian outbreak is a different virus.
The property has been placed under quarantine and a declared area is in place in the eastern two-thirds of the Strathbogie Shire to prevent movements that could spread the virus.
In 2024 Victoria experienced Australia’s largest avian influenza outbreak on record.
Between 22 May and 24 June, 8 properties tested positive for high-pathogenicity H7N3 and H7N9 avian influenza in south-west Victoria.
