Outbreak of bird flu found on Victorian egg farm prompting alert

An outbreak of bird flu has been detected on a farm in regional Victoria, prompting authorities to issue an alert.

A free-range egg farm near Lethbridge, just outside of Geelong, has tested positive for H7N7 avian influenza virus.

The outbreak poses no risk to humans, the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services said.

"(The H7N7 virus) rarely affects humans unless there is direct and close contact with sick birds," the department wrote in an update online.

"There are no food safety issues identified; properly cooked chicken meat and eggs are safe to eat."

Avian influenza (AI) or 'bird flu' is a highly contagious viral disease affecting several species of birds.

It is a zoonotic disease which can infect humans in rare cases, usually through contact with infected poultry.

Movement controls are now in place in the Golden Plains Shire, Agriculture Victoria has confirmed.

These controls prohibit the movement of birds, equipment and products within and out of, the designated restricted area, except under a permit.

The affected property has been quarantined.

All pigeon races, bird shows and bird sales in the affected areas must be cancelled.

To control the spread, birds on the affected property are being destroyed.

Agriculture Victoria is conducting checks throughout the area to determine whether the virus is contained to the property or may be a risk to others.

There have been previous outbreaks on poultry farms in Australia but each time the disease has been quickly detected and stamped out, affecting just a small number of farms.

Further information is available here.