With H5N1 now killing Australian wild birds, targeted vaccination could help protect threatened species and prevent local extinctions before catastrophe strikes.

Australia has confirmed deadly H5N1 bird flu has been found in 102 wild seabirds across five states at the time of writing, including the country’s first mass death of birds.

The question is no longer if this virus can harm Australian wildlife, but whether we should use every available tool to protect species most at risk.

Vaccination cannot stop H5N1 spreading through wildlife. But it could prevent an outbreak from killing all of the at-risk species in an area – a tragic local extinction.

Australia should begin targeted vaccination of threatened birds. It should also urgently develop a strategy for seals and sea lions, rather than waiting until thousands are dead.

A policy exists, but action remains too cautious

Australia has a national policy that allows emergency vaccination of rare, protected and valuable birds, including animals in zoos, sanctuaries, breeding programmes and some managed wild populations.

The government has also purchased an inactivated H5 vaccine – containing no live virus – and is running pilot studies in captive non-poultry birds.

This is important groundwork, but not yet a public program comparable with New Zealand’s ambitious and proactive approach to vaccinate five of the country’s rarest birds before the arrival of H5N1.

Australian zoos and sanctuaries have received funding to strengthen biosecurity and captive ‘insurance populations’.........

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