Poultry farmers in north-east Victoria can now move birds freely after Agriculture Victoria announced the end of the H7N8 avian influenza outbreak in Euroa. The outbreak, which affected four commercial properties, led to the euthanization of hundreds of thousands of birds and movement restrictions in the region.

Acting chief veterinary officer Sally Salmon expressed gratitude to the poultry industry and local bird owners for their cooperation in eradicating the disease. Over 100 people were involved in cleaning and disinfecting affected sites, with 20,600 samples taken and 21,500 tests conducted to ensure the virus did not spread.

This marks the second avian influenza outbreak in Victoria within a year, with the first occurring in May 2024 in south-west Victoria. While the end of the Euroa outbreak is a relief, concerns have been raised about the increased risk of outbreaks due to the expansion of free-range chicken farming.

Victorian Farmers Federation Egg Group president Brian Ahmed warned that the shift towards free-range farming could lead to more frequent avian influenza outbreaks. He emphasized the need to reconsider policies promoting non-cage systems, as they may not be suitable for commercial farming and could contribute to disease outbreaks.

Despite the phase-out of caged-egg farming by 2036, concerns remain about the potential impact on disease control and prevention in the poultry industry.