A THIRD outbreak of H7N8 avian influenza was yesterday confirmed at a property in Euroa as authorities urge all domestic and commercial poultry and bird owners to keep their birds housed and not move manure or eggs from their properties.

Kinross Farms confirmed the outbreak is at their third egg production facility outside of Euroa which houses 260,000 chickens that will now be destroyed.

This brings the total number of bird losses for the company to 500,000.

A community information message was issued by VicEmergency for Euroa, Violet Town, Strathbogie, Ruffy, Longwood, and Avenel to all bird owners, including domestic birds, and replaces the last community information notice issued on Thursday, 13 February.

Kinross Farms managing director Philip Szepe said the company had been closely monitoring all of its farms since the start of the current outbreak.

“It is not unusual for an avian influenza outbreak to spread to neighbouring properties," Mr Szepe said.

“This latest outbreak was detected quickly and managed immediately, in line with well-established national response arrangements to manage an avian influenza outbreak.

“We thank Agriculture Victoria for its ongoing efforts on the affected sites, and at our other sites where we continue to manage egg production and supply to customers, while maintaining strict biosecurity protocols."

VicEmergency said the property had been quarantined and the area impacted by restrictions is east of the Goulburn Valley Freeway for the Strathbogie Shire.

Poultry owners with more than 50 birds within the restricted area must house their birds immediately.

This applies to the area between Longwood and Euroa.

Mr Szepe said it was a very challenging time for his staff.

“Our teams across all sites are working tirelessly to manage this response and we appreciate their commitment to the work.

“(Their) day-to-day work is dedicated to ensuring the health and welfare of our birds, and we want to thank them all for their unwavering commitment to the recovery work as it unfolds.

“We also thank members of the local community for their ongoing support, especially towards our team members who live in the region."

Both AgVic and Mr Szepe continue to assure the community that eggs and poultry products from supermarkets are safe to consume.

"We appreciate all customers who continue to support Kinross Farms,” Mr Szepe said.

Further information can be found at https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/avian-influenza-bird-flu#h2-0