Vaccinating native species against bird flu / myLot

Rockingham, Australia

August 13, 2026 6:35pm CST

I’ve written a few discussions lately about the arrival of bird flu in Australia. As of today, high-priority native species in captivity, such as zoos, conservation facilities and captive-breeding programs, will be vaccinated against bird flu (H5N1). Two doses are required making it unrealistic to vaccinate birds in the wild. The vaccination won’t prevent infection completely but is a step in the right direction. The West Australian species most at risk are black cockatoos, swans, pelicans and seabirds. Experts are still working toward a vaccination policy for commercial poultry farms. In the meantime, a big poultry show in Tasmania has been cancelled due to concerns about the virus. The photo is mine.

11 people like this

12 responses

snowy

@snowy22315 (211289)

• United States

I hope it stays there..Sorry Australia! We want no part of it.

1 person likes this

Go Crossbones

@crossbones27 (53401)

• Mojave, California

I get your comment but why her post is important, birds fly everywhere around the world and meet other birds with humans. You can say you want no part of it but really have no choice and US has had many bird epidemics before, you just never heard about it because people did their jobs.

1 person likes this

Scott Ganschow

@teamfreak16 (44653)

• Denver, Colorado

It's smart. You don't want the zoo to get wiped out.

1 person likes this

Kareng

@kareng (81446)

• United States

I haven't heard about any cases here this summer which is unusual, but nice!! We normally have several big cases every year.

Anna

@LadyDuck (507172)

• Italy

Just now

I am very sorry the bird flu reached your country. I know they are still concerned here, particularly for poultry and hens that lay eggs.

nawala

@nawala123 (20912)

• Indonesia

Just now

Native is fragile to foreign virus. The coming of invasive species may endanger the nature

Michael

@Wrexxo (5010)

•

22m

I just hope they can control this bird flu. It won't be easy though

celticeagle

@celticeagle (192214)

• Boise, Idaho

I hope they figure out a good policy that works well for them.

Go Crossbones

@crossbones27 (53401)

• Mojave, California

I do not know what to do with modern times, people just seem to want people to tell them what to do and when people do its such bad advice.

rebelann1949

@rebelann (118385)

• El Paso, Texas

That bird must have been hard to capture on digital ..... I miss saying film ...... it's a good shot. I haven't heard much about bird flu lately but I recall a few months ago hearing about some concerns. I pray that this flu will not harm a lot of wild birds.

Four Walls

@FourWalls (86940)

• United States

Wow, that’s a positive step. I wonder if they could put some of the vaccine in food for the birds in the wild. It wouldn’t cure or eliminate it, but like you said, it would be a step in the right direction.

Fiacre Banks

@xFiacre (15192)

• Ireland

@JudyEv It’s awful the number of birds (poultry) that are culled because of bird flu.

Jimbo45

@Ineeddentures (43101)

•

At least birds in captivity should be ok I sure hope it doesn't come to Scotland