A third Victorian poultry farm has detected a high strain of the bird flu and has been placed into quarantine.
Farm Pride Foods this morning announced test results had confirmed its Lethbridge Aviary site in the Golden Plains Shire is positive for avian influenza.
There are about 80,000 free-range hens at the contaminated site, which makes up eight per cent of the farm’s total production.
Another separate site in the same area, which has about 40,000 free-range hens, is now being monitored and tested.
Agriculture Victoria confirmed they were responding to the latest detection to identify the source and spread of the virus.
“Tests have now confirmed the high pathogenicity H7N3 strain of the avian influenza virus at the property,” the department said in its latest update.
“This property has been placed in quarantine and all poultry will be safely disposed of. The sites will be cleaned and cleared of the infection.”
Farm Pride Foods said it will seek compensation from the Emergency Animal Disease Compensation Scheme.
There is a five-kilometre restricted area in the Golden Plains Shire to manage the recent outbreaks.
The bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease that has led to major species population deaths across the globe.
On May 22, the country recorded a rare feat when the first human case of the bird flu was detected in Victoria.
“There is no evidence that the H5N1 strains of avian influenza circulating globally can be spread easily from human to human,” Victoria Health said at the time.
Bird flu symptoms include fever, cough, headache, aching muscles and respiratory symptoms and can sometimes progress to severe respiratory illness and neurological changes.
Poultry farmers, backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.