Australia Launches Bird Flu Vaccination for Vulnerable Native Birds

The Australian government is set to start a vaccination programme for native bird species in captivity as the spread of the H5 bird flu strain escalates across the nation. A statement from Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins indicated that vaccinations would begin in the forthcoming days and weeks, prioritising certain native species in captivity.

Collins stated that state governments would oversee the vaccination rollout and would soon announce the specific species targeted. 'We’ve been very clear that we cannot stop the H5 bird flu from spreading among wild birds, but we can take action to protect the species most at risk,' she remarked.

The minister cautioned the public to expect to see an increase in the spread of the virus and accompanying mass mortalities among bird populations. The vaccination effort will focus on at-risk captive species, particularly those involved in conservation breeding programmes housed in zoos and other facilities.

Environment Minister Murray Watt acknowledged the challenges of vaccinating wild birds, stating that because each bird requires two doses, capturing them multiple times is logistically complex. Despite this, he confirmed that there are plans to vaccinate wild birds wherever feasible. 'It does take two vaccination doses to vaccinate birds, and it is difficult enough to catch wild birds once, let alone twice,' Watt explained.

At risk are several endangered species, including the orange-bellied parrot, regent honeyeater, and Western Australia's black cockatoos. According to Australia’s Chief Veterinary Officer, Beth Cookson, this vaccination initiative follows successful trials assessing the safety and efficacy of the vaccine over the past eighteen months. However, details about which particular species or facilities conducted the trials were not disclosed.

'We need to gather safety data across a range of native bird species,' Cookson stated. 'As you can appreciate, birds come in all different sizes, and the vaccines that we’ve got are made for poultry.' The government aims to ensure that vaccination prioritisation is informed by sufficient evidence.

Authorities will adapt their approach to reporting cases, now transitioning from daily updates on bird flu infections to a focus on significant events, such as mass bird deaths. Recently, the first mass mortalities due to the H5 strain occurred in South Australia and Victoria, with over fifty greater crested terns reported dead on an island off South Australia.

The South Australian government announced new suspect cases, including a peregrine falcon among a total of thirty-three cases reported. Additionally, cases have been found in the Murray-Darling region of South Australia and New South Wales for the first time.

Professor John Woinarski of Charles Darwin University welcomed the government's plan to vaccinate captive species but stressed the need for ongoing research, particularly concerning mammals at risk from the bird flu. 'Trials with mammals is important,' he asserted, indicating such trials could focus on seals and sea lions that come ashore. Woinarski urged the government to disclose more about which bird species would undergo vaccination trials and whether there might be any adverse reactions.

Cookson clarified that there are currently no commercial vaccines available for mammals but that the federal government is collaborating with international partners to monitor ongoing trials, including those in the United States. As Australia grapples with the unfolding bird flu outbreak, the government is pressing forward to protect its unique bird populations from this looming threat.