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AzerNEWS Staff

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Australia is preparing to vaccinate vulnerable native bird species kept in captivity as the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu continues to spread across the country, local media reported on Tuesday.

The country has recorded more than 230 confirmed cases of the virus, while authorities last week reported Australia’s first mass wildlife deaths associated with H5N1, according to ABC News.

Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said the vaccination programme would be rolled out across Australia’s states and territories in the coming days.

She said authorities could not prevent H5N1 from spreading among wild birds but could take steps to safeguard species considered most vulnerable to the disease.

Under the programme, officials will decide which species should receive the vaccine based on their susceptibility to the virus and the potential consequences for conservation efforts.

Environment Minister Murray Watt said vaccinating wild birds on a large scale would not be practical because the vaccine requires two doses. However, targeted vaccination of wild birds could be considered where it is logistically possible.

The Australian government has initially allocated A$2 million ($1.3 million) for vaccines.

Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson said vaccination alone would not be sufficient to control the outbreak, emphasising that strong biosecurity measures would continue to play a key role in limiting the virus’s spread.

H5N1 cases have now been confirmed across most of Australia, with Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory the only jurisdictions yet to report infections.

Despite the spread among wild birds, authorities have so far found no evidence of H5N1 in poultry or the wider agricultural sector.