Australia initiates wildlife bird flu vaccination after penguin death

Authorities in Australia are racing to implement vaccination programs for native wildlife following the death of a little penguin from bird flu in Victoria. This marks the first detection of the H5 strain in a penguin within the state. The virus has also been identified in crested terns in Victoria and a dead greater crested tern near Eden in New South Wales.

In Victoria, a program aims to vaccinate approximately 5,000 little penguins on Phillip Island and in St Kilda starting Monday. While officials note that vaccination is a meaningful way to protect colonies, they cautioned that it is not a guarantee against infection.

In New South Wales, the government has identified little penguins and the critically endangered regent honeyeater as priority species for vaccination. Plans to inoculate captive birds are currently awaiting approval from the national Animal Health Committee. Experts warn that while vaccines can reduce mortality, they are a supplementary tool and not a “silver bullet” to prevent ecological catastrophe, noting a lack of data regarding vaccine effectiveness in native birds compared to poultry.