Melbourne Royal Show cancels all poultry displays for 2026 amid H5N1 surge
The Melbourne Royal Show will not feature any poultry exhibitions or contests in 2026 because H5N1 bird flu cases are rising across Victoria.
Organisers of the Melbourne Royal Show announced that all bird-related competitions will be omitted from the 2026 program as the H5N1 virus spreads throughout the state. The decision aligns with broader public-health actions, including the Victorian government's plan to vaccinate wild penguins on Phillip Island. Show officials said they hope to re-introduce avian entries in the 2027 edition.
Why it matters
The ban shows how animal disease outbreaks can disrupt major public events and affect local economies.
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bird fluH5N1poultry exhibitionMelbourne Royal Showvaccinationwild penguinspublic healthevent cancellation
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