18/08/2026
Sadly, bird flu has now been detected in wildlife on the Mornington Peninsula. This information clarifies how to keep yourself safe as well as what to do if you come across any dead birds.
H5 avian influenza (bird flu) has recently been confirmed in Victoria.
The risk to volunteers during beach cleans remains low, and we will continue clean ups as normal unless government advice changes. To support Agriculture Victoria’s detection efforts and help protect local wildlife, we encourage you to report sick or dead birds and marine mammals, particularly along our beaches.
If you come across a sick or dead animal, please do not touch, handle or move it.
Safety info for beach clean ups in the comments below.
Remember to Avoid, Record, Report:
• Avoid contact and keep children and pets away
• Record the location and, if safe to do so, take photos or videos from a distance. Use GPS if possible.
• Report sightings immediately at https://forms.bio.vic.gov.au/wildlife-influenza-investigation
What to report:
• clusters of five or more sick or dead wild birds, of any species, anywhere in Victoria
• a single sick or dead:
🦅 seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
🦭 marine mammal (such as a seal, sea lion or dolphin).
🔗 To learn more and report sightings, visit Agriculture Victoria https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/biosecurity/animal-diseases/poultry-diseases/H5N1-avian-influenza-H5-bird-flu
