Victoria Mandates Poultry Lockdown Amid Soaring Bird Flu Cases

Victoria is enforcing a statewide lockdown for poultry, requiring all farms with more than 50 birds to house them indoors. This proactive measure aims to curb the spread of the H5N1 bird flu virus, which has seen a significant increase in cases among wild birds in the state.

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This is a proactive, precautionary measure to protect our industry.

Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle emphasized the precautionary nature of the order, stating it's designed to prevent contact between domestic poultry and wildlife. This announcement expands on an earlier voluntary housing order for poultry producers.

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This is about making sure that [farm animals] are not having that contact with wildlife.

Despite the growing number of detections in wild birds, particularly in the Portland and Nelson areas, Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson confirmed that no cases have been detected within the poultry industry or agricultural production system. The threat to humans remains very low. In response to the escalating concerns, the Royal Adelaide Show has canceled its bird and poultry exhibits for the upcoming event.

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There have now been 175 confirmed or presumed positive detections of H5 bird flu in Australia, based on samples tested.