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Victorian Department of Health

@VicGovDH

Working together to achieve the best health and wellbeing of Victorians. Read our community guidelines before posting - https://xitter.cf/t.co/vDHc2EyJUg

 Victoria, Australia
health.vic.gov.au/
Joined May 2009
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Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)Photo by Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)
The State election will be held on 28 November 2026. The caretaker period has commenced as of 6pm, 3 November 2026. During the caretaker period, content will only be posted here in line with the caretaker conventions. For more information, visit: vic.gov.au/guidelines-careta…
Pink tile with the Victoria State Government Department of Health logo in the top right corner. A navy banner in the centre has the heading 'Caretaker Period'.

ALT Pink tile with the Victoria State Government Department of Health logo in the top right corner. A navy banner in the centre has the heading 'Caretaker Period'.

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A high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma has been forecast for the Mallee, Wimmera, North Central and North East weather districts for Monday 2 November. There is also a moderate risk for three other regions. Stay up to date at @VicEmergency: emergency.vic.gov.au/respond…
Image from Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)
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UPDATE: the moderate risk alert for Northern Country has been upgraded to high risk. The high risk alert for North Central and North East region has been downgraded to moderate. The high risk alert for Mallee and Wimmera region remains.
Image from Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)
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A high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma has been forecast for Northern Country, East Gippsland and West & South Gippsland weather districts Saturday 31 October. There's also a moderate forecast across most of VIC. Stay up to date at @VicEmergency: emergency.vic.gov.au/respond…
Map of Victoria showing Northern Country, East Gippsland and West & South Gippsland weather districts as a high-risk forecast for epidemic thunderstorm asthma on 31/10/26.

ALT Map of Victoria showing Northern Country, East Gippsland and West & South Gippsland weather districts as a high-risk forecast for epidemic thunderstorm asthma on 31/10/26.

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UPDATE: the moderate risk alert of thunderstorm asthma for North East and North Central regions has been upgraded to high risk for Saturday 31 October. The high risk alert for East Gippsland, West & South Gippsland and Northern Country regions remains.
Image from Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)
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Image from Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)
Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) profile pictureVictorian Department of Health
@VicGovDHOct 25
UPDATE: the alert for East Gippsland has been downgraded to moderate. We still remain in the ETSA risk period. Continue to monitor local conditions. If you have asthma always carry your reliever and if at any time you develop symptoms follow the four steps of asthma first aid.
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UPDATE: the alert for East Gippsland has been downgraded to moderate. We still remain in the ETSA risk period. Continue to monitor local conditions. If you have asthma always carry your reliever and if at any time you develop symptoms follow the four steps of asthma first aid.
Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) profile pictureVictorian Department of Health
@VicGovDHOct 24
A high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma has been forecast for East Gippsland weather district for Sunday. There is also a moderate forecast in West & South Gippsland and North East districts. Stay up to date at @VicEmergency: emergency.vic.gov.au/respond…
Image from Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)
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A high risk of epidemic thunderstorm asthma has been forecast for East Gippsland weather district for Sunday. There is also a moderate forecast in West & South Gippsland and North East districts. Stay up to date at @VicEmergency: emergency.vic.gov.au/respond…
Image from Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH)
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Nitazene has been detected in a pale purple liquid sold as oxycodone. No oxycodone was detected. One person has experienced serious harm from using a similar product. More about this alert & support services: go.vic.gov.au/4yEkvpu
Drug alert reads “Nitazene found in a pale purple liquid sold as oxycodone. Nitazenes are potent synthetic opioids that can cause life-threatening effects in very small amounts, often 100-200 times as potent as heroin. 19 October. health.vic.gov.au”

ALT Drug alert reads “Nitazene found in a pale purple liquid sold as oxycodone. Nitazenes are potent synthetic opioids that can cause life-threatening effects in very small amounts, often 100-200 times as potent as heroin. 19 October. health.vic.gov.au”

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One person has required emergency care after an opioid overdose following use of an unknown yellow tinted powder. Specialised blood tests showed evidence of N-Desethyl Etonitazene, a novel synthetic opioid. More about this alert & support services go.vic.gov.au/47HV0bv
Drug alert reads ”Nitazene found in a yellow tinted powder in Melbourne. N-Desethyl Etonitazene is a potent synthetic opioid that can produce life-threatening toxic effects in very small amounts. 9 October. health.vic.gov.au”

ALT Drug alert reads ”Nitazene found in a yellow tinted powder in Melbourne. N-Desethyl Etonitazene is a potent synthetic opioid that can produce life-threatening toxic effects in very small amounts. 9 October. health.vic.gov.au”

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Flu season is running later than usual this year, and cases are still rising in Victoria. It's not too late to get vaccinated. Feeling unwell? Stay home and rest, it protects you and others.
Flu awareness graphic showing a magnified influenza virus on a dark background. Large text reads: “Flu cases are rising.” Additional text states: “It’s not too late to vaccinate. Flu is up 13x in Victoria since early July”. The graphic promotes flu vaccination and highlights increasing influenza cases in Victoria.

ALT Flu awareness graphic showing a magnified influenza virus on a dark background. Large text reads: “Flu cases are rising.” Additional text states: “It’s not too late to vaccinate. Flu is up 13x in Victoria since early July”. The graphic promotes flu vaccination and highlights increasing influenza cases in Victoria.

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Meet the finalists for the 2026 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards! 🏆 The #VPHAwards celebrate the people, teams and services making a difference across Victoria’s public healthcare system. Congratulations to all finalists! See the full list: go.vic.gov.au/4qxUNAl
Text reads: 2026 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards. Finalists announced.

ALT Text reads: 2026 Victorian Public Healthcare Awards. Finalists announced.

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In Victoria, cases of influenza (flu) and COVID-19 are increasing with cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also high. Health service visits for respiratory illnesses have also been increasing. 1/4🧵
An orange graphic. Text: Chief Health Officer Advisory. COVID, Influenza and Covid cases are increasing. Immunisations are available for many respiratory illnesses. It is never too late to get vaccinated. 24 August 2065. health.vic.gov.au

ALT An orange graphic. Text: Chief Health Officer Advisory. COVID, Influenza and Covid cases are increasing. Immunisations are available for many respiratory illnesses. It is never too late to get vaccinated. 24 August 2065. health.vic.gov.au

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Simple hygiene and preventive measures like covering coughs and sneezes, regular hand washing and staying home when unwell can help reduce the spread of respiratory illnesses. More about this advisory and vaccinations: go.vic.gov.au/3SmuMHK 4/4🧵
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Early antiviral treatments for influenza and COVID-19 can help to reduce severe disease for high-risk individuals. 3/4🧵
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Immunisations are available for many respiratory illnesses such as influenza (flu), COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). It is never too late to get vaccinated. 2/4🧵
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Bird Flu has now been detected in Victoria, on the south east coast near Portland. Latest updates: go.vic.gov.au/3RGE15a
Avian influenza found in birds in Victoria

Avian influenza found in birds in Victoria

H5N1 strain of avian influenza (also called H5 bird flu) has been detected in a wild bird in Victoria.

health.vic.gov.au
Victorian Department of Health (@VicGovDH) profile pictureVictorian Department of Health
@VicGovDHJul 13
H5N1 bird flu has been detected in Australia for the first time, found in migratory seabirds in WA SA and NSW. The risk to most people is low. Human cases are rare, and you can't catch it from cooked poultry or eggs. More: go.vic.gov.au/4vTJDrx
Photo of brown chickens in a poultry setting. Text reads: “Australian’s first bird flu case is here. Should you be worried?”

ALT Photo of brown chickens in a poultry setting. Text reads: “Australian’s first bird flu case is here. Should you be worried?”

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H5N1 bird flu has been detected in Australia for the first time, found in migratory seabirds in WA SA and NSW. The risk to most people is low. Human cases are rare, and you can't catch it from cooked poultry or eggs. More: go.vic.gov.au/4vTJDrx
Photo of brown chickens in a poultry setting. Text reads: “Australian’s first bird flu case is here. Should you be worried?”

ALT Photo of brown chickens in a poultry setting. Text reads: “Australian’s first bird flu case is here. Should you be worried?”

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There has been an update to active public exposures sites for measles cases in Victoria. People who have visited an active site should monitor for symptoms of measles and follow health advice. Full list of exposure sites: go.vic.gov.au/468pAeM
Black and orange background tile. Text reads: "Update to active measles exposure sites"

ALT Black and orange background tile. Text reads: "Update to active measles exposure sites"

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Heroin is an opioid and even in small amounts, it can cause life-threatening overdose. Signs of opioid overdose include breathing slowly and reduced consciousness. If you or someone you're with is experiencing an overdose, call 000 immediately. More: go.vic.gov.au/4avZAvz
Purple and black tile with text that reads: "Drug Alert. Heroin found in methamphetamine and cocaine in Victoria . One person has died and people in four separate incidents have required emergency care. 1 July 2026. health.vic.gov.au”

ALT Purple and black tile with text that reads: "Drug Alert. Heroin found in methamphetamine and cocaine in Victoria . One person has died and people in four separate incidents have required emergency care. 1 July 2026. health.vic.gov.au”

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