Hundreds of birds found dead on Portland beach amid fears of H5N1 outbreak

Beginning Sunday, residents of Portland in south-west Victoria have been encountering large numbers of dead and weakened birds on the foreshore, with estimates of dozens along a 1.5-km stretch. The sightings have sparked alarm that the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza, first identified in the state in July, could be behind the mortality. Community volunteers have taken it upon themselves to bag and remove carcasses, describing the effort as sporadic and poorly coordinated by authorities.

Experts warn that lingering birds could transmit the virus to other wildlife, such as gulls, and potentially to humans. Agriculture Victoria recommends wearing protective equipment and double-bagging birds for landfill disposal, but some locals, lacking council collection, have resorted to burning the remains. The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action has been contacted for comment but has not responded.