In short:
Bird fanciers warned to take measures to stop the spread of bird flu after it was found in backyard chickens
ACT government calls for residents to register backyard birds to help stop the spread of avian influenza
What’s next?
The federal government is investing in tracking bird flu in wild birds and research into vaccines
More bird shows have been cancelled across New South Wales as poultry fanciers and backyard breeders come to terms with the spread of the deadly avian influenza.
The growing list of cancelled events follows bird flu detections in Victoria, NSW and the ACT.
Ian Birchall, secretary of the Mudgee Poultry and Pigeon Club, has cancelled two events, the junior championship and a rare breeds show, this month.
Mr Birchall said he was worried about the implications for the club, established in 1946, if avian influenza was found in a show bird and led to the euthanasing of all birds at the event.
“There were 70 exhibitors at our last show and whether they’ve had their birds for one year or, like my mum who’s had the line there for 80 years … the club doesn’t want to put those people at risk,” he said.
The Central West Bird Club has also cancelled its annual expo and sale, which was scheduled for Forbes in three weeks.
President Wayne Downes said hundreds of exhibitors from across New South Wales and other states usually attended, but the risk of spreading the disease was considered too great.
More cancelled poultry shows
The Exhibition and Poultry Association of NSW has listed these cancelled events:
- Belinger River District Poultry Club, July 13
- Dubbo Poultry Club, July 14
- The Pekin Club of Australia, July 20
- Goulburn Poultry, July 21
- Nowra Poultry Club, July 21
- Mudgee Poultry and Pigeon Club, July 27
- Wagga Wagga Poultry Club, July 28
- Belgium Club of Australia, July 28
- Canberra Queanbeyan, August 4
Backyard breeders urged to register
A case of the H7N8 avian influenza strain in a chicken in Belconnen, Canberra, has prompted the ACT government to ask everyone in the affected area to register their birds.
It is the second detection in Canberra since late June at Pace Farm’s egg-grading facility, Parkwood.
Bird flu has caused the deaths of 100 million birds globally and killed thousands of wild species.
H7N8 is different from the global strain of concern, H5N1 which can cross into humans and was detected in a Melbourne toddler recently, as well as H7N3 and H7N9 found in outbreaks in Victoria.
ACT Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti said the second ACT case was found by a pet chicken owner.
She said the H7N8 detection was within the biosecurity quarantine area established after the first detection
“While this is unfortunate, it’s not unexpected to see another detection within the quarantine area,” Ms Vassarotti said.
Avoid wild birds
ACT Chief Veterinary Officer Kyeelee Driver said registration would establish how many domestic birds were in the area and where they were.
“We have acted quickly in response to this detection and believe there is a very low risk of spread to other poultry in the ACT from this site,” she said.
Megg Miller, a patron of the Royal Canberra Poultry Show, said people should be careful to avoid contact with wild birds as avian flu could be spread by human transmission.
“No feeding wild birds in your back yard or encouraging them anywhere near and don’t visit chook or poultry people at all,” Ms Miller said.
David Thistleton, president of the Canberra and Queanbeyan Poultry Association, said many properties had gone into lockdown to protect precious genetics.
“We’re very worried that it’s going to come over the border and we’ve got members in that area,” he said.
“I’d like to see more strict guidelines for selling birds over Gumtree just in case it can spread into other areas.”
He has covered his dam and restricted his ducks and geese from accessing it for the time being and the club has cancelled its August event.
The federal government has committed $7 million to track avian influenza in the wild bird population.
The biggest risk to Australia is the spread of more dangerous strains of avian influenza that are present overseas.
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