H7 avian influenza (bird flu) is confirmed at a fourth poultry property in northern Victoria near Euroa. All infected properties are within the restricted area and under quarantine.

Given the close proximity to existing infected properties, this new detection is not unexpected.

Diagnostic tests confirmed a high pathogenicity strain of H7N8. The tests were done at CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness in Geelong.

This is a new outbreak and not related to the 2024 outbreaks in Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory which were successfully eradicated.

This is not the H5N1 bird flu strain that is impacting other parts of the world.

A restricted area with a radius of about 5 km is in place around the infected properties. This is part of a larger control area in Strathbogie Shire, east of the Goulburn Valley Freeway. The goal is to prevent movements that could spread the virus.

Townships impacted include:

Euroa
Violet Town
Longwood
Ruffy
Avenel
Strathbogie.