Restrictions on poultry owners near the bird flu outbreak, near Euroa, have been reduced, following no new detections since February 24.

As of Monday, March 31, the current control area will be reduced to about 40km from east to west, and 30km from north to south, including Euroa and Longwood.

Mandatory movement controls are no longer in place for townships including Violet Town, Ruffy, Avenel and Strathbogie, as well as for game bird hunters and hunting activities in these areas.

The housing requirement for premises with 50 or more birds in the restricted area is now also lifted, with the voluntary housing of birds still encouraged.

The changes come after no further H7N8 avian influenza cases have been detected by the intensive surveillance activities that continue to be undertaken.

In addition, good progress has been made on the cleaning and decontamination of affected properties.

The restrictions will be kept under review as Agriculture Victoria continues to monitor for disease, progress decontamination of affected properties and eradicate the outbreak.

Victoria’s Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Cameron Bell commended industry and the community for their co-operation to date.

“This easing of restrictions is thanks to the co-operation and hard work that industry, community and the impacted property owners have contributed since the first detection in early February,” Mr Bell said.

“Our staff remain on the ground, working to clean and decontaminate affected properties, and we appreciate your ongoing support as this continues.”

Restrictions remain on the movement of birds, poultry products (including eggs and manure), equipment and vehicles on or off properties in the new control and restricted areas.

Game bird hunting is also not permitted in the control and restricted areas.

Agriculture Victoria has between 100 and 120 staff deployed to the response each day.

About 9000 bird samples have been collected by staff and tested at Agriculture Victoria’s AgriBio facility since February 8.

To prevent and eliminate biosecurity threats, every producer should have an up-to-date farm biosecurity plan and be able to recognise signs of diseases that could impact their animals.

Poultry farmers and backyard flock and bird owners are urged to report any cases of unexplained bird deaths to the 24-hour Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888, or to your local vet.

More information on the current H7 bird flu response, including movement permits and maps, are available at agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza or by calling VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226.

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