The head of Victoria's peak farming group has addressed the recent detection of the H5 variant of avian influenza in Western Australia. He characterized the threat to Victoria as a "distant concern," suggesting that the immediate risk to the state's poultry industry is low. Despite the deadly nature of the H5 variant, the industry leader maintains a level of cautious optimism regarding the geographical separation. The statement aims to reassure local producers and stakeholders about the stability of their operations. However, the detection in Western Australia serves as a reminder of the virus's presence within the country. Monitoring efforts remain in place to prevent the spread of the disease across state borders. The farming sector continues to prioritize biosecurity measures to mitigate potential outbreaks.