Photo courtesy of Anadolu
Australia starts bird flu vaccinations to protect vulnerable species
Australia will begin vaccinating vulnerable native bird species kept in captivity against H5N1 bird flu as authorities respond to the virus spreading across the country.
More than 230 cases had been confirmed nationwide, while the country recorded its first mass wildlife mortality event associated with the virus last week, according to Australian media.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said states and territories would begin administering vaccines in the coming days, focusing on species considered most at risk from the disease.
Authorities will determine which birds receive the vaccine based on their susceptibility to H5N1 and the possible consequences for conservation if populations are severely affected.
Collins said authorities could not prevent the virus from circulating among wild birds but could take measures to protect particularly vulnerable species, with vaccination becoming part of the response.
Environment Minister Murray Watt said vaccinating wild bird populations on a broad scale was not practical because the vaccine required two doses. Selected wild birds could still receive vaccinations where conditions allowed.
The government had secured an initial AUD 2 million, or about USD 1.3 million, worth of vaccines. Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson cautioned that vaccination alone would not contain the threat and said biosecurity measures remained essential.
Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory remained the only jurisdictions without confirmed infections. Authorities had also reported no H5N1 cases among poultry or elsewhere in the agricultural sector.
