Victoria mandates indoor housing for poultry due to H5N1 flu

The state government has mandated that poultry farm owners with more than 50 heads of poultry must keep their birds in closed facilities. This measure, which has become the first such practice in Australia, is being introduced for an initial period of 14 days. During this period, the government will monitor the development of the situation.

The basis for tightening the measures was the discovery of new cases of the virus in the areas of Yambuk, Apollo Bay, and Clyde. Chief Veterinary Officer of the state Graeme Cooke noted that the eastward spread of the virus makes it difficult to assess the risks to the poultry industry. At the same time, representatives of poultry producers expressed support for these restrictions at a meeting with authorities.

Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson reported the confirmation of 20 more cases of the disease, detected in crested terns in the Portland and Nelson areas. The total number of confirmed or suspected H5 infection cases in the country has reached 175, however, no cases of infection have been recorded in commercial poultry farming and agriculture at this time.

In connection with the increase in the incidence rate, preventive measures are being taken in other regions as well. For example, the Royal Adelaide Show has cancelled the poultry exhibition as part of the upcoming event. Consultations are underway with the organizers of the Royal Melbourne Show regarding similar restrictions.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has allowed farmers to keep chickens indoors without the need to change product labelling, continuing to sell eggs as free-range products. The government assures consumers that the situation will not affect the availability of eggs on shelves or their price levels. Previously, similar measures for isolating livestock were taken by the producer Ingham's in Western Australia after the virus was detected in a migratory bird near Esperance.