General News
16 August, 2026
Bird flu in south west
WARRNAMBOOL is now among the confirmed locations in Victoria where the H5 bird flu virus has been detected.
According to Agriculture Victoria, bird flu continues to impact the south west, with Warrnambool, Allansford, Port Fairy, Yambuk, Portland, Nelson and Tyrendarra now among the locations where the virus has been detected.
As of last Sunday, Agriculture Victoria figures showed 53 birds had been detected from 37 locations across the state.
The types of birds currently impacted are crested terns, a single silver gull and a single magpie.
So far there has been no H5 bird flu detections in poultry or livestock in Australia.
The first bird confirmed in Victoria was a greater crested tern at Portland on July 30.
Cases of H5 bird flu, also known as H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza, have previously been confirmed in Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales.
The risk to human health of H5 bird flu remains low.
According to the Agriculture Victoria website, overseas this strain has caused severe disease and high death rates in poultry, wild birds and other wildlife.
Human cases are rare and the virus does not spread easily between people.
People are encouraged to report sick or dead birds, or marine mammals, to the emergency animal disease hotline on 1800 675 888 but are also urged to stay clear and avoid direct contact.
