Australia Vaccinates Penguins After First Mammal Bird Flu Death

Australia launched what is believed to be the world's first campaign to vaccinate penguins against bird flu, with over 1,000 little penguins receiving their first dose in Victoria.

This program follows the confirmation of Australia's first H5N1 bird flu case in a mammal. Federal agriculture minister Julie Collins confirmed on Sunday that a long-nosed fur seal found dead at Beachport, South Australia, tested positive for H5N1 bird flu. This marks the first Australian mainland mammal fatality from the H5 bird flu strain, believed to be contracted from wild birds.

Catherine Basterfield, chief executive of Phillip Island Nature Parks, stated vaccinations began early last week and are ramping up. The program aims to administer two doses of the H5N1 vaccine to about 5,000 birds across Phillip Island and St Kilda. Team members work at night, trapping penguins in pens for vaccination, with approximately 300 penguins weighed, measured, microchipped, and vaccinated in recent nights.

Australia has been grappling with bird flu since June. Victoria's environment minister, Jaclyn Symes, highlighted the economic value of the little penguins to the region and state.