US restricts Aussie poultry imports due to Bird Flu

May 29, 2024

By Farms.com

The US has enforced a ban on poultry imports from Victoria, Australia, due to bird flu concerns, starting May 22. The ban covers various poultry products, including eggs and ratites.

This measure comes after Australia recorded its first human case of bird flu and identified different strains on Victorian poultry farms. However, other Australian states are deemed unaffected.

Despite the rise in cases, health officials in both countries emphasize the low risk to the general public. Meanwhile, the US government is expanding incentives for dairy farmers to bolster biosecurity measures against outbreaks.

Since March, about 64 herds across nine US states have reported cases of the virus. Fortunately, two farm workers recovered after contracting bird flu. Efforts are underway to develop vaccines to safeguard at-risk farm workers.

Video: Managing Severe PRRS Outbreaks - Dr. Claire Mtezankuni

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, Dr. Claire Mtezankuni, Swine Veterinarian at Carthage Veterinary Service, discusses the growing severity of PRRS outbreaks in sow farms. She explains how respiratory disease and sow mortality are changing outbreak response, why necropsies and bacterial cultures can guide treatment, and how vaccination, biosecurity, pain management, and clear team communication support recovery and elimination. Listen now on all major platforms!

“Emerging PRRS strains can produce severe reproductive and respiratory disease simultaneously, creating substantial health challenges across sow farms during acute outbreaks.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Claire Mtezankuni / claire-mtezankuni-2529b1b3 is a Swine Veterinarian at Carthage Veterinary Service in Illinois, where her work includes commercial farm veterinary leadership, herd health, disease elimination, and veterinary internship coordination. She holds a DVM from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a Master of Veterinary Science in Livestock Systems Health from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Learn more from Dr. Claire Mtezankuni on The Swine it Podcast Show Canada, available on all major platforms.