Australia urged to shift focus to mammal-specific bird flu vaccines amid rising spillover risks

Ecologists and scientists warn that delaying mammal-targeted vaccines for bird flu in Australia increases risks for vulnerable species such as Tasmanian devils and sea lions, amid ongoing detections in wild birds.

Australian officials should have moved sooner to develop bird flu vaccines for vulnerable mammals such as Tasmanian devils and sea lions, according to Deakin University ecologist Euan Ritchie, who said the current response has focused too heavily on birds. He welcomed trials for captive threatened birds, but told AAP it was a missed opportunity not to prioritise a mammal-specific programme for species found nowhere else in the world.

CSIRO scientist Frank Wong said H5 remains an avian-adapted virus, but that spillovers have already been recorded in 55 mammal species globally, mostly scavengers and predators. That places animals such as the Tasmanian devil, which feeds on carcasses, in a higher-risk category. He added that pets, livestock and even humans can be infected, though such events are still uncommon and usually require particular conditions.

The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water says H5 bird flu has been detected in Australia in wild birds, with coastal seabirds currently the only confirmed cases. State and federal agencies are preparing for wider spread, while the threat to wildlife is being treated as significant.

In Victoria, more than 5,000 little penguins on Phillip Island and in St Kilda are due to be vaccinated from early next week. Environment Minister Jaclyn Symes said practical action could help protect vulnerable species even if the virus cannot be eliminated in wild birds.