Bird Eggs Seized at Melbourne Airport

Bird Eggs Seized at Airport
NEWS.com.au, Australia

February 11, 2004

BIRDS' eggs with the potential to introduce avian
influenza into the country have been seized by the
Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) in
Melbourne.

The quail eggs, which were intercepted at Melbourne's
Airmail Transit Centre, were destined for an address
in the city's western suburbs, according to AQIS.

AQIS says birds' eggs from overseas pose a potentially
lethal disease risk to Australia's poultry industries
and native birdlife.

They have the potential to infect birds with avian
influenza, infectious bursal disease or exotic strains
of Newcastle disease, all of which can spread rapidly
and cause environmental and economic damage.

The eggs, which were mailed from Malta, were
discovered during routine x-ray screening of overseas
mail.

Fifteen of the 21 eggs had been damaged in transit
despite having been packed in cotton wool.

The eggs will be destroyed after AQIS has completes
its investigation into how they came to be sent to
Australia. 



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