Australia bird keepers seek vaccines as avian flu spreads inland

Wildlife experts are calling for avian influenza vaccines to be made available to backyard bird keepers in Australia as the deadly virus spreads inland. Al and Louise McKay, wildlife educators living near a detection site in regional South Australia, expressed high alert and worry for their rare birds, including the critically endangered glossy black cockatoo and masked owl.

"We're very concerned," Al McKay said. "We want to be proactive and not caught on the back foot." He noted that vaccinating would be a more practical measure for their birds, which are difficult to rehouse and require specific conditions. The couple plans to modify their exhibitions and keep their birds off programs until vaccinations are available.

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We're very concerned. We want to be proactive and not caught on the back foot. Our birds are difficult to rehouse and need certain conditions, including light, so vaccinating would be a more practical measure.

Louise McKay has already implemented enhanced biosecurity measures, such as moving water bowls to prevent access by wild birds and regularly checking for droppings and wild birds near enclosures. "A lot of bird keepers are anxious about this evolving situation," she said. "Making vaccines available would alleviate some of the stress and provide some assurance our treasured animals are safe."

The H5N1 bird flu has been detected in crested terns along the Limestone Coast of South Australia, with multiple dead birds found on beaches. The virus has also appeared further inland and across the border in Victoria, with detections in new areas indicating its movement through wild bird populations. Agriculture Victoria's chief biodiversity officer James Todd described these detections as significant developments, showing the virus's ability to move across large regions.

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A lot of bird keepers are anxious about this evolving situation. Making vaccines available would alleviate some of the stress and provide some assurance our treasured animals are safe.