The Latest Breaking News from Influenza

A third Victorian chicken farm will cull tens of thousands of hens after a deadly strain of avian flu was found, sparking a warning about egg supplies.

This infection, tied to an ongoing outbreak in cows, is the first in the U.S. to cause respiratory symptoms, but not the first H5N1 case in the world to do so.

The human case found in Australia is of the same H5N1 strain that has spread rapidly around the world

Discovery at Terang follows detection of H7N3 avian influenza at Meredith egg farm, where mass chicken cull is taking place

The first human case of avian influenza (bird flu) in Australia was reported yesterday in Victoria. A child acquired the H5N1 strain of the virus in India and became ill upon returning home to Australia in March this year.

Farmers are remaining on high alert after bird flu was detected at a second Victorian farm linked to another property where mass culling is under way.

Authorities say strain of avian influenza detected at Meredith farm is H7N3, which has been detected in Australia before

A dangerous strain of avian influenza (bird flu) is now wreaking havoc on every continent except Australia and the rest of Oceania. While we remain free from this strain for now, it’s only a matter of time before it arrives.

New Zealand’s decision to no longer offer free influenza vaccines for all children under 12 will likely wipe out recent gains in uptake. And it will disproportionately affect those living in deprived areas and with a high risk of disease.