Bird flu hits more Aussie farms: What it means for our eggs and chickens

A highly infectious* strain of avian influenza* has been detected at a second Sydney farm in the Hawkesbury region, which will require authorities* to euthanise* 87,000 birds over the next seven weeks.

The case was confirmed by the NSW government on Saturday night, and was found 1.5km from the farm where the initial* case of bird flu was detected last week.

A total of 330,000 birds across the two farms will have to be destroyed.

Testing by the CSIRO’s* Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness* (ACDP) confirmed the strain as High Pathogenic* Avian Influenza (HPAI) H7N8 – the same strain which was detected at the nearby farm.

However, the virus is not the same strain ravaging* seven farms in Victoria, or the H5N1 virus which has infected more than 97 million birds and 118 dairy herds* in the United States.

The second farm has been locked down* since Wednesday, after the bird flu was detected at a large mixed barnyard and free-range poultry* farm, affecting about 240,000 birds.

The outbreak* is believed to be from a spillover event*, like potential infection from a wild bird.

A 2km lockdown order was immediately implemented, which covered three other large commercial* poultry farms, including the farm where Saturday’s detection was confirmed.

The order restricted the movement of eggs, birds and machinery within the lockdown site.

NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty thanked the support and collaboration* of the poultry industry, and said the virus didn’t affect eggs and poultry meat, which was safe to eat as long as its handled and cooked according to safe food practices.

Ms Moriarty said they were acting on the bird flu outbreak and would do everything to work through this challenging time for the egg and chicken meat industry.

“Consumers should not be concerned about eggs and poultry products from the supermarkets, because this detection does not pose a risk to consumer health and the products are safe to consume,” Ms Moriarty said.

“As always people should handle and cook using the standard procedures.”

Despite the near-empty egg shelves in some stores, Woolworths said there were no widespread supply chain* issues and wouldn’t be placing purchase limits on customers.

Coles has implemented a two dozen buying limit on all states and territories* except for Western Australia.

GLOSSARY

• infectious: something that can spread easily from one person or animal to another
• avian influenza: also known as bird flu, a type of flu that affects birds
• authorities: people or organisations in charge of making sure rules are followed
• euthanise: to put an animal to sleep in a way that is painless
• initial: first
• CSIRO: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, a large Australian government agency for scientific research
• preparedness: being ready for something
• pathogenic: capable of causing disease
• ravaging: causing severe damage
• herds: groups of animals, like cows
• locked down: restricted movement to prevent the spread of disease
• poultry: birds like chickens and ducks that are raised for their eggs or meat
• outbreak: a sudden start of a disease spreading
• spillover event: when a disease spreads from one species to another
• commercial: related to business or trade
• collaboration: working together with others
• supply chains: the system of people and activities involved in producing and delivering goods
• territories: areas of land under the jurisdiction of a ruler or state

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QUICK QUIZ

1. What type of influenza has been detected at a second farm in Sydney’s Hawkesbury region?
2. How many birds will need to be euthanised at the second farm?
3. Which organisation confirmed the strain of avian influenza at the second farm?
4. What measure has been implemented to control the spread of bird flu?
5. What did NSW Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty say about the safety of eggs and poultry products for consumers?

LISTEN TO THIS STORY

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
1. Avian Bird Flu
How does euthanising 87,000 birds affect the owners of these poultry farms?

Why are authorities worried about containing the spread of this virus?

What might people do if they fear being infected by this flu?

What is the government doing to try and stop some of these things?

Time: allow 15 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Extension
What are the implications for a human contracting this strain of influenza? Research the type of symptoms it might include.

What are some common ways that you can stop the spread of any virus going around at this time of year?

Time: allow 20 minutes to complete this activity
Curriculum Links: English, Health and Physical Education, Science, Personal and Social, Critical and Creative Thinking

VCOP ACTIVITY
Comic Strip
Create a comic strip to demonstrate the effects of supermarket supply when the public start to panic buy items.

Include the after effect it can cause others.

Include short amounts of text or dialogue to explain your pictures.