Type Status Location Last Updated
Community Update - Env - Stay Informed Unknown Euroa and surrounds Yesterday at 11:25 AM
This Community Information message is being issued for Euroa, Violet Town, Longwood, Ruffy, Avenel and Strathbogie.
  • An outbreak of H7N8 avian influenza (bird flu) is confirmed at four poultry properties at Euroa. 
  • This warning is relevant for all bird owners including poultry producers, bird keepers and pet bird owners. 
  • The area impacted by restrictions is east of the Goulburn Valley Freeway for Strathbogie Shire.
  • This Community Information replaces the Community Information issued on 5 March. 
Things you should know about avian influenza: 
  • H7 bird flu is a highly contagious disease that infects chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys, guinea fowl, quail, pheasants and ostriches. Many species of wild birds, including waterfowl and seabirds, can also carry the virus. 
  • This is different from the H5N1 bird flu strain impacting wildlife in other countries around the world. Australia remains free from H5 bird flu.
  • Movement controls are in place and the infected properties have been quarantined.  These controls prohibit the movement of birds, equipment and products, including manure and eggs, within and out of the control area and restricted area until further notice.  
  • All poultry owners with more than 50 birds in the restricted area are required to house their birds. This applies to the area between Euroa and Longwood.
  • Recreational game bird hunting is not allowed in the restricted or control areas. This includes duck, stubble quail and introduced game bird hunting. 
  • Moving game bird carcasses and any equipment associated with game bird hunting into, out of or through the restricted and control areas is prohibited unless under a movement permit. 
  • You can find more information about movement controls and quarantine here: agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza.
  • To stop the spread of H7 bird flu, birds on infected properties are being destroyed. 
  • Eggs and poultry products from supermarkets are safe to consume.  
All bird owners should regularly check their birds. Unexplained illness or deaths in your birds should be notified to your local vet or by calling the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.

If you are located within the warning area and you own birds, you must follow all movement controls.
What you should do:
  • Follow the movement controls. Check the Agriculture Victoria website or call 1800 226 226 for detailed information on what you can and can’t do in the restricted and control areas.  
If you own birds: 
  • Do not move your birds, eggs, chicken manure or poultry equipment into, within, or out of the control or restricted areas. 
  • Bird owners should regularly check their birds and immediately report any sudden death or unusual signs of disease to their local vet or call 1800 226 226. 
  • Check the Agriculture Victoria website - agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza - or phone 1800 226 226 for details on movement controls. 
To help prevent the spread of disease to your birds you should: 
  • Restrict contact between pet birds, poultry and wild birds. 
  • Prevent access by wild birds to food and water sources for your birds. 
  • Keep equipment and yards or aviaries clean. 
  • Limit visitors to your birds. 
  • Bird owners should wash their hands before and after handling birds. 
Check for signs of avian influenza:
  • Signs of the disease in birds may include: Sudden death. Birds with difficulties breathing, such as coughing, sneezing, or rasping.  
  • Swelling and purple discolouration of the head, comb, wattles and neck. 
  • Rapid drop in eating, drinking and egg production. 
  • Ruffled feathers, dopiness, closed eyes. 
  • Diarrhea. 
  • Occasionally, nervous symptoms. 
How avian influenza spreads:
  • Avian influenza can be spread to other animals by movement of eggs, birds, people handling birds, vehicles and equipment between farms, and by clothing, footwear, aerosols, water, feed, litter, wild birds, biting insects and vermin. 
Protecting your health: 
This message was issued by Agriculture Victoria.

The next update is expected by 19/03/2025 05:00 pm or as the situation changes.

Use multiple sources to stay informed: 
Accessibility: 
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency. 
  • To access this information in other languages call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.  
  • If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact the National Relay Service and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.