An outbreak of Queensland fruit fly has been declared in the north-east region of Victoria, Australia.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) declared the outbreak after the pest were discovered on a property at Everton, east Wangaratta.

Bill Ashcroft from the DPI's Plant Standards branch, said they had taken measures to prevent the fruit flies from spreading to major fruit production areas within the state.

He said a control zone of 1.5km in radius had been set up around the affected site and DPI would begin an eradication program this weekend.

“The success of the eradication campaign depends on a high level of co-operation from residents,” Ashcroft said.

A leaflet describing the eradication campaign would be delivered to every household in the area over the next few days, and DPI teams would be setting up baits in the town as well.

Ashcroft said DPI had also suspended the movement of fruit from within a 15km zone around Everton to Melbourne and sensitive interstate markets including South Australia and Western Australia.