Source : Perth Now news
Australia’s H5N1 bird flu vaccination program could be the largest of its kind ever undertaken anywhere in the world with more than 160 species to be jabbed.
The Albanese government has been working with state and territory leaders on the targeted vaccination program for some of Australia’s most vulnerable species.
As of September 17, vaccination plans had been endorsed by state and territory chief veterinary officers for 162 unique species, with some 9916 birds expected to be jabbed.
They include more than 500 little penguins – which have already been killed by the highly infectious flu – across NSW, including on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, in Eden on the far South Coast, at Lion Island and at Baranguba.
In Victoria, up to 1385 captive birds across 95 species including the regent honeyeater, swift parrot, orange-bellied parrot and plains wanderer will be jabbed, while in Tasmania some 350 orange-bellied parrots will also be included.
Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the government was taking bird flu seriously, “which is why we are undertaking this globally significant vaccination effort”.
“Australia is home to some of the world’s most iconic and beautiful birdlife,” she said.
“We have invested almost $2m and have done a significant amount of work with the CSIRO and leading scientists to prepare for this vaccination effort.
“We will continue working closely with states and territories on this vaccination effort to protect our nation’s unique and iconic birdlife from the threat of H5 bird flu.”
Commonwealth, state, and territory governments have agreed on a national approach to the rollout of vaccines to priority native species in captivity, though it is up to the states to determine which species are included and to deliver the rollout in their jurisdictions.
Broadscale vaccination of wild birds is not being considered, however, having been deemed inappropriate or impractical, with two doses of the vaccine needing to be administered three to four weeks apart.
Some wild birds may be vaccinated but only in very specific circumstances.
By comparison, New Zealand has vaccinated 300 “core breeding birds” from just five species.
So far, more than 500 confirmed events of H5N1 bird flu in Australia wildlife have been reported by authorities, alongside reports of mass die-offs.
They included an Australian sea lion off Kangaroo Island and a common dolphin at Goolwa on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula.
Australia was the last continent in the world to be hit by H5N1 bird flu, with some $270m invested in biosecurity preparedness, surveillance, and response.
