Report any unusual bird deaths immediately and call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
Avian influenza is a viral disease of birds and is found across the globe. Avian influenza virus strains are described as low pathogenicity (LPAI) or high pathogenicity (HPAI).
Most LPAI strains of avian influenza virus cause minimal disease in wild birds and poultry. However, some LPAI strains can evolve into HPAI strains when they spread among poultry. There are also strains of HPAI spreading globally causing widescale death of poultry and wild birds.
Latest on avian influenza
Visit outbreak.gov.au for information about the avian influenza response
Supply of eggs and poultry
The national hen layer flock has been impacted by H7 HPAI in Victoria, NSW and ACT. It is anticipated that there is likely to be some localised disruption to supply that will impact the retail, hospitality and manufacturing sectors.
We encourage consumers to purchase eggs based on need, and not to panic buy.
While NSW is a key production area for chicken meat, there is no noticeable impact anticipated at this stage.
Overseas situation
A strain of HPAI, clade 2.3.4.4b, is spreading globally, causing widescale outbreaks. These have caused extensive losses of poultry and wild birds, and spillover infections in mammals. Occasional infections have been detected in humans. Many have been mild or asymptomatic, but some infections in humans have caused severe illness. This strain has not been detected in Australia, but there are concerns about the potential impacts on poultry and wildlife if it arrives on our shores.
