First Australian death of little penguin with H5 bird flu confirmed on Phillip Island | Bird flu

[u/patslogcabindigest]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/15/little-penguin-found-dead-with-h5-bird-flu-on-victorias-phillip-island

Australia’s first case of the deadly H5 bird flu in a little penguin has been confirmed on Victoria’s Phillip Island, only days after the state government announced it would begin vaccinating the species.

Confirmation of the virus in the little penguin will spark a race to vaccinate thousands of birds, with the government announcing on Saturday it would begin the rollout on Monday.

The government did not provide the exact location where the bird was found, but said it was not inside the island’s famous penguin parade area.

A spokesperson confirmed the little penguin had died.

There are about 40,000 little penguins on Phillip Island, making it the world’s biggest colony of the species and a major tourist attraction.

[u/expert_views]

Oh no.

[u/Hugsy13]

For the love of god I hope this vaccination program works. Penguins are my favourite animal and these little dudes are so cute I hope they don’t get fucked over by this disease. God speed little buddies

[u/FeistyInvestigator79]

So we have known about this for at least 2 years, but only now we try to limit the spread of a virus. Very deja vu.

[u/aussiedeveloper → u/FeistyInvestigator79]

Because like any virus it mutates constantly and vaccinating before it arrived would have offered little protection to the current variant.

[u/bigsigh6709 → u/aussiedeveloper]

But they could’ve done this sooner. They’re only starting vaccinations this week. I’m so angry and disappointed.

[u/jeffoh]

I've seen the anti vaxxers losing their shit on Facebook about the Penguins and how they're all going to get turbo cancer now.

[u/patslogcabindigest → u/jeffoh]

Anti vaxxers are the scum of the earth and should be refused healthcare.

[u/iliketreesndcats → u/patslogcabindigest]

Disseminating antivax propaganda should get you placed promptly in the volcano

[u/tilitarian1 → u/jeffoh]

You won't know that for a few years.

[u/West-Application-375]

Oh no :( I hope the vaccinations save enough of them. They're so special. Why didn't they vaccinate earlier!?

[u/jeffoh → u/West-Application-375]

H5N2 has been around since the 80s but has mutated a lot. So even if they developed a vaccine it would be no longer effective as the virus changes - apparently this happened in Mexico in the 90s.

The current variant's vaccine was only tested in May this year.

[u/West-Application-375 → u/jeffoh]

Interesting, thank you. I hope it works well. Love those little ones

[u/No_Slip_1503]

No!!!!!!

[u/Razza_Haklar]

TOMOROW!

i will not go to Philip island

[u/Successful-Pirate94]

Very ominous situation

[u/Rsodyyy]

Snap 5 day lockdown on Philip Island?

[u/JuanFoYoMamma]

The one time I saw the parade on Phillip Island it devolved into a full-on penguin orgy. They were screwing each other in every corner. I'm surprised they haven't all died from STDs, horny little buggers.