THE H7 avian influenza response in Victoria has come to an end. The outbreak, which began in February, affected four commercial poultry properties around Euroa. There have been no new cases of the highly-pathogenic H7N8 bird flu since 24 February 2025. AgVic said disease eradication activities had been successful and that infected properties now had their quarantine lifted as well as the control area that has been in place around Euroa for more than four months. There are no longer movement restrictions around the four properties. Victoria’s acting chief veterinary officer Sally Salmon said the disease was eradicated due to the hard work of the poultry industry, local bird owners, and the wider community. More than 100 people were deployed to clean and disinfect each site after affected birds had been removed. “Early reporting from the first affected business meant we could act quickly, and their ongoing co-operation with all elements of the response has been a major factor in achieving eradication,” Dr Salmon said. “Thanks to local residents, we visited 350 properties, took 20,600 samples and completed 21,500 tests for the virus. “Surveillance is key to gathering the evidence to show that the disease hasn’t spread. "We couldn’t have done this without the help of bird and poultry owners.” Local businesses also played an important role by supporting response staff, with food and fuel, accommodation, cleaning and security services, equipment hire, and repair, and maintenance supplies provided locally to keep the response moving. Poultry and bird owners are reminded to continue to follow good biosecurity practices, including keeping sheds, yards, aviaries, and equipment clean, limiting contact between poultry and wild birds, cleaning footwear and washing hands, and quarantining new birds before mixing them with others. Every producer should have a biosecurity plan and know the signs of disease. Unexplained bird deaths should be reported to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888 or to your local vet.
