VICTORIAN POULTRY BIOSECURITY MEASURES EXTENDED

By Jessica Dempster

Poultry owners in southern Victoria will be required to continue preventing contact between their birds and wild birds, as H5 bird flu continues to spread among wild birds along the state’s coastline.

Agriculture Victoria has extended the requirement for another 28 days from September 19, applying to people responsible for 50 or more poultry in specified southern local government areas.

Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Cameron Bell says strong biosecurity remains necessary to protect poultry from the disease.

Practical measures include reducing the time birds spend outside, restricting access to higher-risk areas and protecting feed and water from wild birds.

There have been no H5 bird flu detections in Australian poultry or livestock, and no movement restrictions are in place.

Poultry owners outside the specified areas are also encouraged to strengthen biosecurity and report sick or dead birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.