Australia will soon begin vaccinating its vulnerable native birds against the deadly H5N1 bird flu as the virus spreads more widely after first being detected in the country in June, the government said on Tuesday.
Vaccination Efforts
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.
Collins stated that the priority species will be identified based on vulnerability to the H5 bird flu and the potential conservation impact. The move follows neighboring New Zealand’s decision in July to begin a vaccination programme for 300 core breeding birds from five of its most endangered species.
Australia reported its first mass seabird deaths from avian influenza last week, marking an escalation of an outbreak that began after the virus was first detected in migratory seabirds before spreading to native species last month.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
