Australia to Vaccinate Native Birds Against H5 Bird Flu

The Australian federal government is set to begin a vaccination program for native bird species in captivity against H5 bird flu, which has led to increased bird mortalities across the country. Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced the rollout on Tuesday, emphasizing that priority will be given to certain vulnerable species held in captivity.

This announcement follows reports of mass seabird deaths attributed to avian influenza, marking a significant escalation of the outbreak first detected in migratory seabirds. The occurrence of such deaths has raised alarm among wildlife experts and officials.

In addition to captive birds, there are hopes to extend vaccinations to wild birds; however, Collins acknowledged the challenges associated with capturing them for the required doses. Catching wild birds for vaccination is described as a difficult task, complicating the efforts to improve their immunity against the virus.

The immunization initiative is expected to commence in the coming days and weeks, with a focus on addressing the health of at-risk bird populations in Australia as the situation continues to develop.