Australians are being reassured poultry and egg products are safe to eat, despite confirmation of cases of a deadly bird flu strain.

The virus has made its way onto local shores for the first time, plunging a major chicken producer into lockdown.

Two wild birds in Western Australia have tested positive for the H5N1 virus, leading some major producers locking down farms as a precaution.

But federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said there was so far no evidence indicating the strain being found in local poultry or agriculture.

“We’re not sure yet if it’s established in wildlife in Australia,” she told ABC News Breakfast on Tuesday.

She warned that lessons from overseas indicated the virus could not be prevented from spreading, and Australia could not stop it arriving via migratory birds.

“Experts will decide whether or not it’s eradicable or whether or not we manage the disease,” Collins said.

Nationals deputy leader and agriculture spokesman Darren Chester said producers hoped for the best, but had to prepare for the worst.

“This is a potentially very serious situation, but we need to reassure Australians right now and reassure them quite clearly that it is safe to eat Australian poultry and eggs,” he said on Tuesday.

National Farmers Federation’s Warwick Grave said farmers had planned for the deadly virus.

“Surveillance is at a high level and increasing, and there are systems in place to try and deal with this outbreak,” he said.

Australian National University expert Robyn Alders said the H5N1 strain was different from past bird flus Australia had faced because it had caused significant damage overseas.

“The impacts are considerable, both in terms of agriculture but there are concerns for the poultry industry,” Alders said.

Authorities were aware H5N1 is causing significant infection and productivity losses to the US dairy industry, as well as evidence showing the virus in Canadian wild pigs, she said.

H5N1 can infect and cause serious illness or death in a range of species, including rodents and cats, making it more difficult to detect, monitor and control.

The Lort Smith Animal Hospital in Melbourne said pet owners should keep animals on a leash in wildlife areas and keep cats indoors to minimise contact with potentially affected birds.

“If the virus does spread, pet owners, particularly cat owners, should be aware that this particular strain is quite virulent for cats,” Alders said.

A brown skua and a northern giant petrel are at the centre of testing after being discovered on a remote beach in Esperance, about 700 kilometres south-east of Perth. More than a dozen cases of sick or dead birds have also been reported.

Despite only two confirmed cases, major poultry producer Inghams announced it would lockdown its Western Australian sites to mitigate against potential risks.

More than 200 million chickens have been culled in the US since the virus arrived there.

The public has been urged to avoid but report and record sick and dead birds and marine mammals to the emergency animal disease hotline.

-AAP