A backyard in Canberra is the latest place to be hit by a bird flu virus.
Australian Capital Territory authorities confirmed on Friday that a group of chickens from the home had been found to be infected with the virus. It is the second site in the territory to be affected.
The home is located in a quarantine area set up after the virus was discovered at an egg production facility in northern Canberra last week.
In order to stop the spread of bird flu, in addition to the two sites in the Australian Capital Territory, eight farms in Victoria and two in New South Wales had to be closed.
Australian Capital Territory Environment Minister Rebecca Vassarotti praised the home’s residents for preventing further spread of the virus to the bird population.
“While it is disappointing that there is a second case, it is not unexpected. As in many other countries, this is unfortunately the reality of such a highly contagious virus,” she said.
“Avian influenza can be transmitted very easily by the transport of sick birds from one property to another, as well as through contaminated boots, equipment and vehicles, if appropriate biosecurity measures are not in place.
“Wild birds can also transmit the virus.”
Due to the disease outbreaks, over a million chickens and ducks were killed.
Due to the spread of bird flu, major supermarkets in New South Wales, Victoria and the Australian Capital Territory have introduced a limit of two cartons of eggs per customer.
The fast food chain McDonald’s was also forced to shorten its breakfast times due to problems with the egg supply.