Thousands of birds at two Hawkesbury poultry farms have died since avian influenza was confirmed earlier this month.The first case was at a Freemans Reach egg farm where 8,000 birds died in 48 hours after the virus was detected.
Biosecurity restrictions were placed around the farm as soon as the CSIRO’s Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness confirmed a positive result for High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H7N) on 19th June.
Transmission to humans is very rare, and unlikely unless there is direct and close contact with sick birds.NSW and ACT are working together to deal with the biosecurity issue. People should report any sick or dead birds as a priority. This includes all domestic poultry or wild birds.Call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.