June 22nd 2024.
A new outbreak of bird flu has been found at a commercial egg farm in the Hawkesbury region of Sydney. As soon as the virus was discovered on Wednesday, a 1.5-kilometre area around the farm was put under lockdown. After testing by a team from NSW's bio-security department, it was confirmed today that a second farm within the locked down area also had cases of the disease.
The CSIRO's Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness has confirmed that the H7N8 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza is responsible for the outbreak. This virus is extremely contagious and has a high mortality rate among birds. Interestingly, this strain is the same one found at the nearby farm where the first outbreak occurred. However, it is different from the strain that caused recent outbreaks in Victoria and other parts of the world.
In light of this discovery, the NSW Minister of Agriculture, Tara Moriarty, has commended the effectiveness of the biosecurity plan. She stated, "The swift response of our teams has allowed us to quickly identify and contain this new site, which had been under lockdown since June 19." She also added that the depopulation process, which involves the destruction of 87,000 birds, is being carried out under the supervision of biosecurity officers in accordance with national policy.
Despite the unfortunate situation, it is important to note that eggs and poultry meat from this farm are safe for consumption as long as they are handled and cooked properly. The public is reminded to follow safe food handling practices when preparing these products. Additionally, authorities are urging the public to report any sick birds, including wild birds, to prevent the spread of the virus.
In the midst of this second outbreak, the community is also mourning the loss of Dr. Michael Mosley, whose wife has paid tribute to him as an amazing man. Amidst the chaos of the situation, a video of a couple's humorous banter during a police chase in Melbourne has also gone viral. It is a reminder that even in difficult times, there is still room for moments of light and laughter.
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