Birds most at risk of contracting the H5N1 strain of bird flu will be vaccinated in an attempt to protect vulnerable species, with native species and birds in captivity first in line.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, the federal government announced it had $2m worth of vaccinations for the virus, which amounts to roughly 1,500 vials. States and territories are to manage the rollout over the coming days (BBC<\/a>).<\/p>\n \u201cWe cannot stop the H5 bird flu spreading amongst wild birds, but we can take action to protect the species most at risk and vaccination is now part of that response,\u201d said Agriculture Minister Julie Collins (SBS<\/a>).<\/p>\n Australia\u2019s Chief Veterinary Officer Beth Cookson said vaccines would not alone stop the spread of the bird flu. \u201cIt is not a standalone solution. Biosecurity will remain important [in the] protection of these species\u201d (SBS<\/a>).<\/p>\n More than 230 confirmed cases of the H5N1 bird flu have so far been confirmed in Australia, with Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the Australian Capital Territory the only jurisdictions not to record cases (ABC<\/a>).<\/p>\n