Arabic version: إطلاق حملة لمكافحة إنفلونزا الطيور وسط السعي إلى لقاح لأسود البحر

According to ABC News, the Federal Government has launched a national H5N1 bird flu education campaign offering practical advice to Australians who encounter sick or dead birds. The six-week “Bird flu – Know what to do” campaign will run on television, radio, social media and other channels.

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins said Australians should avoid touching sick or dead birds and report suspected cases through birdflu.gov.au or the emergency animal disease hotline. She said the campaign also provides advice for people with backyard chickens where bird flu is localised, and for dog walkers who find dead birds.

There have been 652 bird flu events recorded nationally: 319 in South Australia, 208 in Victoria, 67 in New South Wales, 45 in Tasmania, 10 in Western Australia and two in Queensland. Adelaide University epidemiologist Adrian Esterman said the campaign had consistent messaging, including not touching dead birds and notifying the hotline.

South Australian Environment Minister Emily Bourke has renewed calls for the Federal Government to approve an experimental United States vaccine for Australian sea lions. Five Australian sea lions have tested positive in South Australia, all at significant breeding colonies on Kangaroo Island and the Pages Islands.

The vaccine is being trialled overseas and would require Australian regulatory and animal ethics approvals. Professor Esterman said it was based on a cattle vaccine for avian flu and targets H5N2 rather than H5N1. He said it had produced an immune response in seals and sea lions, but there was no guarantee it would protect marine mammals, and approval and trials in Australia could take months.