H5N1 avian influenza (H5 bird flu)
H5 bird flu: current situation
13 August 2026
There are 69 positive cases of H5 bird flu in Victoria. To review wildlife cases reported in Victoria and see sightings where H5 bird flu has been detected, view our interactive map.
Disclaimer: Data gets updated nationally at different points in time, so there may be delays and inconsistencies in figures on various platforms.
The number of positive cases shown is based on laboratory results. Not all birds will be sampled, particularly in areas where disease is already known to be present. This means the numbers do not provide a complete picture of all H5 bird flu in Victoria.
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.
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.
If you see sick or dead birds or other wildlife, do not touch them. Avoid direct contact. Record what you see. Report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline or using the form below.
For updates, visit this page regularly and follow Agriculture Victoria on Facebook.
For more information about the situation across Australia, visit Bird flu.
How to report
Please report clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species, anywhere in Victoria.
Report even one sick or dead:
- wild seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
- marine mammal (e.g. seal, dolphin).
Your report helps us to understand the spread of H5 bird flu across the state. Accurate reports help us respond quickly where necessary.
To report sick or dead poultry or livestock please call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline immediately on 1800 675 888.
Map
To check wildlife cases reported in Victoria and see sightings where H5 bird flu has been detected, view our interactive map.
* Disclaimer: Data gets updated nationally at different points in time, so there may be delays and inconsistencies in figures on various platforms.
Positive numbers reported are based on laboratory results from samples taken, not a fulsome picture of all H5 bird flu in Victoria.
Control order
A poultry housing requirement for poultry flocks of 50 or more birds is in place in Victoria for certain local government areas in metropolitan Melbourne and areas along the south of the state.
Read more