Mystery virus kills thousands of fish found washed up on beach

Mystery virus kills thousands of fish found washed up on beach Milo Pope | Live News reporter Published August 20, 2026 3:05pm Updated August 20, 2026 3:09pm Thousands of dead fish were spotted across a beach in South Africa (Picture: @777nitro/Newsflash/NX) Scientists have launched an investigation after thousands of dead fish mysteriously washed up along beaches in South Africa. Disturbing footage shows dead pilchards, which belong to the herring family and are generally slightly larger than sardines, covering large sections of Bloubergstrand Beach in Cape Town on Monday, August 17. Several birds can also be seen nearby, with some appearing to be unwell. The mass deaths have also been reported at Milnerton and Sunset Beach, with dead pilchards found on the shore along parts of the wider