A La Trobe academic is available to discuss the discovery of ‘bird flu’ at a Victorian poultry farm.
Dr Emma Grant PhD
Postdoctoral researcher, La Trobe Institute of Molecular Science (LIMS)
Contact: E.grant@latrobe.edu.au, media@latrobe.edu.au, 0404 030 698 (Charisse Ede)
Dr Grant is a viral immunologist with research focusing on understanding immune responses to viruses with a particular interest in influenza viruses.
The following can be attributed to Dr Grant:
“The outbreak at the Victorian farm is a different strain to the influenza viruses seen in Australian poultry farms last year. These viruses are also different from the H5N1 viruses circulating in other parts of the world.
“Avian influenza viruses can spread quickly through animals, and farmers will need to remain vigilant and report anything of concern to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline. However, measures suggested by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and the swift action of farmers ensured that the outbreaks seen in 2024 were brought under control.
“According to Wildlife Health Australia, who survey influenza viruses in wild bird populations across Australia as a part of their National Avian Influenza Wild Bird (NAIWB) Surveillance Program, these H7 influenza viruses have not been found circulating in wild birds in Australia.
“For those with domestic poultry, The Dept of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry list some simple steps on their website you can take to protect your animals from emergency diseases, including keeping the area clean, making sure they have access to fresh clean water, and avoiding contact with wild birds.
“Due to the way avian flu transmits, the risk to the general public is very low, as avian influenza viruses find it very difficult to bind to human cells. Therefore, transmission of avian influenza viruses to humans is uncommon, as are instances of human-to-human transmission.”
Accurate and up-to date information can be found at these official sources:
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Contact details:
Charisse Ede, 0404 030 698
