H5 bird flu is in Victoria
H5N1 avian influenza, also known as H5 bird flu, has been detected in wild birds in Victoria. H5 bird flu is a disease that mainly affects birds and other wildlife.
The risk to human health remains low, but people should avoid contact with sick or dead birds and wildlife.
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) is the lead agency coordinating the response to H5 bird flu in Victoria.
As information can change quickly, we recommend visiting the Agriculture Victoria website for the latest updates, maps and advice.
On this page
- Signs of H5 bird flu in birds and wildlife
- What you should do
- Managing sick and dead wildlife
- What Melbourne Water is doing to manage H5 bird flu
- Closure of the Western Treatment Plant to birdwatchers
- Frequently asked questions
Signs of H5 bird flu in birds and wildlife
Be alert for the following signs in wild birds and wildlife:
- unable to stand, walk, or fly properly
- ruffled feathers, depression, closed eyes
- droopy or puffed-up appearance
- breathing problems, including panting, coughing or sneezing
- diarrhoea
- twisted neck or unusual head posture
- swollen head, neck or eyes
- lack of coordination, tremors or swimming in circles
- sudden death, especially in large numbers.
What you should do
If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife:
AVOID contact with sick or dead birds, wildlife or their environment.
- Do not touch, handle or move them
- Keep children and pets away from the area
- Avoid contact with bird droppings and contaminated environments.
RECORD what you see including:
- The number of sick or dead animals
- Species (if known)
- Exact location (GPS coordinates or site address)
- Date and time
REPORT suspected cases
Every community report contributes valuable information, even when testing or removal is not required.
Please report:
- Clusters of 5 or more sick or dead wild birds of any species
- A single sick or dead seabird, waterbird, shorebird or bird of prey
- A single sick or dead marine mammal, such as a seal, sea lion or dolphin.
If you find sick or dead birds or wildlife that may be infected with H5 bird flu, report what you see through Agriculture Victoria’s online reporting form.
If you need to report sick or dead poultry or livestock, call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.
If you see sick or dead birds or wildlife around a river, creek, wetland or estuary, please notify Melbourne Water by emailing [email protected] or calling our Customer Service Centre on 13 17 22.
Managing sick and dead wildlife
Leave dead wildlife where it is
In most situations, dead wildlife can be left where it is found to decompose naturally.
While it can be distressing to see dead birds or wildlife, leaving them undisturbed is often the best option. This helps minimise disturbance to surviving animals and supports natural processes within local ecosystems.
Minimising disturbance to wildlife can also help reduce the spread of disease.
If you see a sick bird
If you come across a sick bird, the best approach is to avoid contact, record what you see and report it.
Although many people want to help wildlife in distress, reducing human interaction with sick birds helps minimise stress on the animal and reduces the risk of disease spread.
What Melbourne Water is doing to manage H5 bird flu
Melbourne Water manages and operates a range of wetlands, waterways, reserves and other areas that provide habitat for wildlife.
Monitoring and reporting unusual wildlife illness or deaths helps support early detection and coordinated response and helps protect wildlife, visitors, staff and the broader community.
We have established an Incident Management Team and are working with relevant government agencies, including the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) and Agriculture Victoria to support a coordinated response including wildlife monitoring, protection of threatened species and biosecurity measures.
As recent detections of H5 bird flu continue to be recorded in and around the Greater Melbourne area, we are closely monitoring conditions at a number of ecologically significant sites including the Western Treatment Plant, Edithvale-Seaford wetlands, the Eastern Treatment Plant and the Western Port Ramsar wetlands.
As the waterway manager and Catchment Management Authority for the Port Phillip and Westernport region, we continue to support DEECA with:
- Taking proactive steps to protect important wetlands and wildlife habitats, including increasing pest animal control in areas that support threatened species and waterbirds like our Ramsar wetlands
- Sharing information with partner agencies and community groups
- Assessing and responding to the potential implications of H5 bird flu for biodiversity conservation, habitat management activities and community engagement programs, and adapting activities as required.
We will continue to assess impacts to areas we manage and will implement appropriate measures where required.
Closure of the Western Treatment Plant to birdwatchers
As the land manager for the Western Treatment Plant and associated Ramsar Wetlands, we made the difficult decision in August 2026 to temporarily close public access to birdwatchers.
These restrictions have been implemented as a precautionary measure to help minimise the potential spread of H5 bird flu and to reduce disturbance to birds, wildlife, their habitats and environment.
We acknowledge the importance of the Western Treatment Plant to birdwatchers, researchers and the wider community, and appreciate your understanding during this time.
Frequently asked questions
H5 bird flu can be present in waterways and wetland environments contaminated by infected birds, their droppings or other secretions. While the risk to the general public is considered low, people should avoid direct contact with sick or dead wildlife and follow any site-specific advice, restrictions or closures that may be in place.
Where recent bird mortality events have occurred, people should avoid swallowing or bathing in affected water bodies, refrain from swimming, fishing or boating in affected areas, avoid direct contact with contaminated water, and practise good hygiene after visiting wild bird habitats. Children and pets should be supervised and kept away from sick or dead wildlife.
Melbourne Water continues to monitor impacts on wildlife and habitats and works closely with relevant government agencies to respond to detections and emerging risks.
Yes. People can continue to visit public open spaces while following any site-specific advice, restrictions or closures that may be in place.
Boating and fishing can also continue as normal in most areas. If there has been a recent mortality event, avoid activities that could expose you to contaminated water, including swimming, wading, fishing and boating.
Visitors should:
- avoid direct contact with sick or dead wildlife
- wash hands thoroughly after visiting areas where wild birds gather
- keep children and pets away from sick or dead wildlife
- keep dogs on a leash where required
- follow signs and directions from authorities
- avoid entering areas that have been closed or cordoned off.
Yes. Treated drinking water is safe to drink. Standard drinking water treatment and disinfection processes, including chlorination, are effective against H5 bird flu, and existing treatment systems are considered sufficient to manage this risk.
For the latest information about H5 bird flu, reporting sick or dead wildlife, managing dead wildlife and protecting pets or backyard poultry, please go to the Agriculture Victoria website.
