Inghams locks down farms after Australia reports second H5N1 case

Inghams

22/06/2026 06:59

    June 22 (Reuters) - Inghams Group ING.AX on Monday implemented a complete lockdown across all of its Western Australian farms and processing operations after Australia reported a second case of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu. 
Here are some details: 
Australia reported a second case of H5N1 bird flu in Esperance, Western Australia, as a northern giant petrel, a migratory sea bird, on a remote beach tested positive for bird flu, after a brown skua case on Saturday
These are the first reported cases of the flu on mainland Australia
The Australian government has vowed to rein in the spread of the virus
Inghams' breeder farms and grower networks are located in the Muchea, Gingin and Mogumber regions, north of Perth, nearly 690–770 kilometres from Esperance
No cases have been detected in the company's commercial poultry, and it continues to distribute to the Australian market
The company has moved to a "heightened state of biosecurity vigilance" to mitigate any potential risks
Inghams is also seeking a housing order from the Australian Government’s Chief Veterinary Officer to allow its Western Australian free-range poultry to be kept indoors 
Shares of the company slumped as much as 13.8% to A$1.810, in their worst session since February 20, and hit their lowest in more than a month

 (Reporting by Keshav Singh Chundawat in Bengaluru; Editing by Mrigank Dhaniwala)
 ((Keshav.singhchundawat@thomsonreuters.com))