{"id":1333599,"date":"2024-06-20T14:15:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-20T13:15:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.agriland.ie\/?p=1333599"},"modified":"2024-06-20T13:43:53","modified_gmt":"2024-06-20T12:43:53","slug":"biosecurity-emergency-declared-in-australia-over-bird-flu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lightsail.agriland.ie\/farming-news\/biosecurity-emergency-declared-in-australia-over-bird-flu\/","title":{"rendered":"Biosecurity emergency declared in Australia over bird flu"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The New South Wales (NSW) government has activated its emergency biosecurity <\/a>plan against the backdrop of over one million bird deaths across the country, according to Australian authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This specific plan comes following the detection of bird flu<\/a> at a poultry egg farm in the Hawksebury district.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The highly contagious and often fatal disease <\/a>has resulted in the deaths of 8,000 birds over the past 48 hours in NWS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Avian influenza, or bird flu, poses a constant risk of introduction from wild birds, especially during migratory periods from October onwards when birds congregate on wetlands and mix with resident species.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The disease can affect many different types of birds, including domesticated chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese and other fowl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

NSW consumers have been assured that eggs and poultry products currently available are safe to consume.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Authorities emphasise that this detection does not pose a risk to consumer health, provided standard handling and cooking procedures are followed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The confirmation of Avian Influenza H7N8 came after testing by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) national research laboratory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Biosecurity <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In response, the NSW government has implemented measures as part of its biosecurity incident plan, which aligns with the national approach for bird flu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Key actions taken over the past 48 hours included:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n