MELBOURNE — In a milestone move to combat rising detections of H5N1 avian influenza, Victoria has become the first jurisdiction in Australia to mandate that poultry producers keep their birds indoors, according to an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) report.
The mandatory housing order expands on an existing voluntary measure and applies to any individual or business keeping more than 50 birds. The directive will initially remain in force for 14 days. Agriculture Minister Michaela Settle described the decision as a “proactive, precautionary measure” aimed at preventing farmed flocks from interacting with potentially infected wild birds.
The policy escalation comes as new cases expand into new regions of the state. Victoria’s Chief Veterinary Officer Graeme Cook stated that recent virus detections in Yambuk, Apollo Bay, and Clyde prompted authorities to fortify biosecurity protocols. Additionally, Australian Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson confirmed 20 new positive detections in Victoria, all involving greater crested terns in the Portland and Nelson areas.
Nationwide, Australia has logged 175 confirmed or presumed positive H5 bird flu detections across tested samples. However, health and agricultural officials emphasized that the virus has not been detected in poultry or commercial production facilities, and the current risk to human health remains very low.
Out of growing caution surrounding the virus’s spread, event organizers confirmed that the Royal Adelaide Show has canceled all scheduled bird and poultry exhibits for next month.–News Desk