Native birds in captivity to be vaccinated against H5 bird flu as Australia prepares for more mass mortalities

Australia is rolling out vaccinations for native bird species held in captivity as a measure against the escalating H5 bird flu outbreak. The federal agriculture minister, Julie Collins, announced that targeted native species in captivity will be prioritized, with vaccinations commencing in the "coming days and weeks." State governments will oversee the program, and a list of target species will be announced shortly.

“

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. Vaccination is now part of that response.

"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," Minister Collins stated. "Vaccination is now part of that response." She cautioned the public to expect continued "spread and larger numbers – particularly of dead birds and mass mortalities around the country." The vaccination initiative will focus on endangered birds involved in conservation breeding programs at zoos and other facilities.

While vaccinating wild birds presents significant challenges, primarily due to the need for two doses per bird, the government plans to proceed where feasible. Federal environment minister Murray Watt explained, "It does take two vaccination doses to vaccinate birds, and it is difficult enough to catch wild birds once, let alone twice. [But] where it's possible to vaccinate wild birds, we will do so." Endangered species like the orange-bellied parrot, regent honeyeater, and Western Australia's black cockatoo are among those in captivity that will be targeted.

“

It does take two vaccination doses to vaccinate birds, and it is difficult enough to catch wild birds once, let alone twice. [But] where it’s possible to vaccinate wild birds, we will do so.

The vaccination strategy follows 18 months of trials examining the safety and efficacy of vaccines adapted from poultry use for native species. Australia's chief veterinary officer, Beth Cookson, noted the importance of gathering safety data across diverse native bird species, given the varying sizes and the original development of vaccines for poultry. The government will shift from daily case number updates to focusing on major events like mass mortalities as the number of infected species grows.

“

The trials and pilots that we’ve undertaken so far have provided us with some safety data across a range of different species. As you can appreciate, birds come in all different sizes, and the vaccines that we’ve got are made for poultry. So it was really important as part of the preparedness that we had that safety information. We’ll continue to gather that information and to prioritise vaccination in those species where we’ve got sufficient evidence.