Poultry housing controls lifted by Chief Vet but crisis not over

Key points

• Victoria has lifted the temporary requirement for poultry producers in metropolitan Melbourne and specified coastal areas to house their birds, effective Friday, October 16. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Graeme Cooke said the change reflects warming seasonal conditions rather than an easing of the H5N1 bird flu outbreak.
• He urged producers to keep strong biosecurity measures and reduce contact between poultry and wild birds.
• Members of the public are asked to report sick or dead wild birds to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline, and not to touch them.