Victoria mandates poultry housing due to bird flu spread

The Victorian Government has issued a mandatory poultry housing requirement for certain areas to combat the spread of H5N1 avian influenza. The order, effective until August 21, applies to individuals, households, and businesses keeping 50 or more poultry in metropolitan Melbourne, coastal regions, and several neighboring areas, including the Glenelg Shire.

Under the mandate, poultry must be housed or confined to prevent contact with wild birds and wildlife. This precautionary measure follows detections of the virus in various bird species, primarily greater crested terns, across multiple locations such as Yambuk, Apollo Bay, Clyde, Portland, and Nelson. While 53 birds across 37 locations in Victoria have tested positive, there have been no confirmed detections in poultry or Australia’s agricultural production system.

Australia has recorded 175 confirmed or presumed positive detections of the virus. Although the virus is spreading among wild bird populations, authorities state that the risk to humans remains very low. Outside the specified local government areas, housing birds is recommended but not mandatory.