Programme to deal with captive birds most vulnerable to extinction
11 August 2026
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Australia will quickly start vaccinating its weak native birds in opposition to the lethal H5N1 chook flu because the virus spreads extra broadly after first being detected within the nation in June, Reuters reported, citing the federal government on Tuesday.
The vaccine rollout will start within the “coming days and weeks”, with an preliminary deal with precedence species in captivity, Agriculture Minister Julie Collins instructed reporters in Canberra.
“The precedence species will probably be recognized primarily based on vulnerability to the H5 chook flu and the potential conservation affect,” Collins mentioned.
“We have been very clear that we can not cease the H5 chook flu from spreading amongst wild birds, however we are able to take motion to guard the species most in danger, and the vaccination is now a part of that response.”
The transfer follows neighbouring New Zealand’s resolution in July to start a vaccination programme for 300 core breeding birds from 5 of its most endangered species.
About 45% of Australia’s roughly 850 chook species are endemic, authorities knowledge exhibits, which means they’re distinctive to Australia and located nowhere else on Earth.
Australia reported its first mass seabird deaths from avian influenza final week, marking an escalation of an outbreak that started after the virus was first detected in migratory seabirds earlier than spreading to native species final month.
Australia was the final continent to report chook flu, though the virus was detected in late 2025 on the sub-Antarctic territory of Heard Island.
