Australian fruit fly outbreaks contained

The town of Yarrawonga is host to the latest in a string of fruit fly outbreaks in Victoria over the past year.

A 15km cordon has been created around the Yarrawonga outbreak, reported the Weekly Times Now, to stop fruit movement interstate and to sensitive areas like Melbourne.

Another fruit fly infestation in Wonthaggi, on Victoria’s coast, was meanwhile declared eradicated by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries, and the area has been declared fruit fly free.

“The eradication of this outbreak significantly reduces the risk of fruit fly spreading into horticultural production areas,” said DPI Plant Standards Officer Wendy Coombes.

The Wonthaggi outbreak was reported in February 2008. Carrum Downs, reported at the same time, has also been declared fruit fly free.