In an effort to shield vulnerable bird populations from the lethal H5 avian flu strain, targeted vaccinations will soon be administered to at-risk birds.
Julie Collins, the Agriculture Minister, revealed on Tuesday that the initial doses are poised for distribution in the coming days.
Vaccination efforts will initially focus on captive species, selected based on their susceptibility and likelihood of contracting the virus.
“It’s clear we can’t prevent the H5 bird flu from spreading among wild populations, but our strategy includes vaccination to safeguard the most endangered species,” Collins told reporters gathered in Canberra.
Collins cautioned Australians to expect increased spread and larger incidents of avian deaths and mass casualties nationwide due to H5, stressing that the flu will continue advancing across the country.
While wild birds will be vaccinated if possible, the priority will be on birds in captivity.
The federal government says it has secured 1,500 vials of the vaccine, worth about $2 million.
“The doses vary depending in those vials of the size of the bird,” Collins said.
“We have sufficient vaccines in terms of undertaking the initial vaccination program, but we’ve also been very clear we’re working with states and territories, and if we need more vaccines, we’re able to secure those.”
‘Not a standalone solution’
Australia’s chief veterinary officer Beth Cookson said vaccines would not be the ‘silver bullet’ to stop the spread of the bird flu.
“It is not a standalone solution. Biosecurity will remain important, the protection of these species,” she said.
“We have been working very carefully for the last 18 months as part of our national preparedness to make sure that we have safety and efficacy data available to us.”
More than 200 bird flu deaths have been reported, with the majority of cases in South Australia.
While the flu was first detected in migratory birds, it soon spread to native species.
Collins said reporting of the number of bird flu cases would also change due to the spread of the virus among species.
Counting the number of cases was no longer the most accurate picture of how the disease was spreading, the minister said.
“Our reporting will evolve to focus on confirmed H5 events and the developments that matter most, where the disease is spreading, new locations or species affected in emerging areas of risk,” she said.
The deadly strain has not been detected in the poultry sector or in the broader agricultural industry to date.
Adelaide University associate professor Mohammed Alsharifi, an influenza vaccination expert, said the rollout of the immunisation would be crucial.
“It’s the right approach if we want to keep or conserve those species, because the virus is very lethal and we’ve seen dead animals around in the news everywhere,” he said.
“We need to remember the virus may mutate. But at least if we have good immunity against the clade (variety) of the virus that’s circulating, then it will be the right approach.”