Australia to Vaccinate Vulnerable Native Birds Against Bird Flu
Environment groups want an urgent $200 million, two-year wildlife resilience fund as H5 bird flu kills wildlife and cannot be treated once established.
- On Tuesday, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins announced Australia will begin vaccinating vulnerable native birds against H5N1 in the coming days, focusing initially on priority species in captivity.
- After killing elephant seal pups on Heard Island, the virus jumped more than 4000 kilometres to inland NSW, where the first case was detected over the weekend.
- Collins said the Albanese government acquired about 1500 vials worth $2 million for the initial vaccination program, while noting the virus cannot be stopped in wild birds.
- Environment groups are calling on the Albanese government for an initial urgent $200 million, two-year investment in wildlife resilience, emphasizing habitat repair and managing invasive threats like feral cats.
- With about 45 per cent of Australia's roughly 850 bird species endemic, officials are working closely with the meat and egg industry to keep the virus out of the agricultural system.
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Australia is going to vaccinate vulnerable birds against bird flu to prevent unique species from going extinct. The plan is to protect captive birds, including those in zoos and breeding programs, against the H5N1 bird flu virus that has recently arrived in the country. "We know that we cannot stop the spread of H5 bird flu among wild birds, but we can take action to protect the most vulnerable species," said Agriculture Minister Julie Collins …
Australia detected its first case of Avian Influenza strain H5 in June, with 231 confirmed or suspected positive cases on Monday.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins noted that the country should expect new mass bird deaths
Australia to vaccinate vulnerable native birds against bird flu following New Zealand's lead
The vaccine rollout will begin in the "coming days and weeks," with an initial focus on priority species in captivity, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins told reporters in Canberra.
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