H5 Bird Flu Confirmed in Fox, Suspected in Dolphin Along Victoria's Coast
By Editor • September 4, 2026 • 1 min read
Victorian wildlife authorities have confirmed a case of H5 bird flu in a red fox found dead along the Surf Coast at Torquay, marking the state’s first recorded instance of the virus in mammals. This alarming discovery comes alongside a suspected case in a dolphin found dead at Lorne, raising concerns about the spread of the virus among local wildlife.
Acting Chief Veterinary Officer Cameron Gunn stated, "We have now confirmed H5 bird flu in a red fox recently found at Torquay collected through our ongoing surveillance and monitoring effort." While the presence of the virus in the fox has been confirmed, officials are downplaying fears of foxes transmitting the disease, asserting that they typically do not spread the virus upon infection. Instead, the potential risk lies in foxes moving infected carcasses.
Since June 20, authorities have reported 212 positive cases of bird flu among birds across Victoria, with infections noted in various species including magpies and little penguins. Vaccination efforts for the little penguins on Phillip Island are already underway, with approximately 1,000 birds having received the vaccine. As the spring breeding season approaches, officials anticipate further spread of the virus to new species.
Source: www.abc.net.au
