Avian influenza - low pathogenic outbreak in Victoria

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI)  quarantined a commercial duck farm in two locations north-west of Melbourne after birds there tested positive to Low Pathogenic Avian Influenza (LPAI).

This low pathogenic subtype of avian influenza is not the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus affecting poultry and humans and the wider community is not at risk.

DPI Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Andrew Cameron said that although the virus was relatively harmless they did not want to take the risk of the virus spreading to bird populations and mutate to a more virulent strain so the ducks on the two farms have been put down.

More information is available on the DPI website: www.dpi.vic.gov.au