Investigating wildlife deaths on Port Phillip Bay’s Mud Islands

17 September 2026

Testing has returned a negative result for H5 bird flu at Mud Islands in Port Phillip Bay, after aerial surveillance identified a small number of dead pelicans.

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) completed further ground surveillance last week and sampled the pelicans.

The negative result for bird flu at Mud Islands contributes to our ongoing efforts to monitor how bird flu is spreading and where we can expect to see further impacts. We will continue monitoring Mud Islands and other significant areas.

Mud Islands are an extensive area of exposed sand with areas of saltmarsh and dune shrubland in Port Phillip Bay, about 6 km northeast of Portsea.

Listed as an internationally significant Ramsar site, the islands are home to nesting seabird colonies including pelicans, ibis, gulls and petrels.

DEECA is working with Parks Victoria, Traditional Owners and relevant stakeholders across the state on actions that will minimise impacts to wildlife, the poultry industry and human health.

Members of the public should not directly touch or handle dead birds.

Community reporting continues to play an important role in Victoria’s response and helps build our understanding of the outbreak.

If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife, Avoid, Record and Report via the Agriculture Victoria website or call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

To keep up to date with Victoria's response to H5 bird flu, visit bird flu

Attributable to James Todd, Chief Biodiversity Officer:

"Aerial surveillance continues to help us track and understand the spread of H5 bird flu in Victoria, which is moving through our coastal regions."

"Unfortunately, H5 bird flu is likely to result in significant wildlife losses. While we cannot prevent every impact, we are doing everything we can to protect at-risk species and their habitat and monitor the situation."

Media contact: sboc.media@agriculture.vic.gov.au