The Guardian World · Aug 15, 2026

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

Authorities confirm first Australian death of species found with virus near where it attracts crowds to a ‘penguin parade’ Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast 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.