Phillip Island’s little penguins were getting vaccinated for H5N1 bird flu on Monday evening, in an effort from the state government to immunise 5,000 of the species against the deadly virus.
Still, even as the little birds lined up for their shots, uncertainty around the roll out of the program was building following the death of a little penguin from bird flu in the island’s colony confirmed this past weekend.
The Monitor spoke to Victoria’s Chief Biodiversity Officer, James Todd, about the vaccination program to clear up some questions you might have.
It’s not too late to vaccinate
Todd told the Monitor that despite the confirmed case over the weekend, the timing for the roll out of the vaccinations was spot on.
“Most of the colony on Phillip Island is currently out at sea. They spend most of the winter months out at sea foraging and building up their weight to come back and mate in spring.”
Todd said even if they had started vaccinating birds a month ago, there would’ve only been a few hundred on the island and so they’d still be waiting for penguins to return now.
How effective will the vaccine be?
To be fully vaccinated, each penguin must receive two jabs, typically spaced four to six weeks apart.
Todd said with the positive case over the weekend means the team at Phillip Island Nature Parks, who are administering the shots, will be looking to vaccinate as many penguins with their first shot as possible.
“Advice from experts indicates that even getting one dose into an animal will deliver a positive immune response.”
Todd said the government wasn’t exactly sure how effective the vaccine will be at protecting penguins.
Timeline of 5,000 jabs depends on little penguins return
Each vaccine vial contains 1,000 shots and once a vial is opened the goal is to use as much of it as quickly as possible.
“It's about having enough birds coming through that the vaccine can be administered without wasting it”, said Todd.
At the moment, Todd said there are a few hundred birds returning to their nests every week but he expects that to rise to almost 1,000 a week over the coming months.
Bird flu detection might mean a shorter period in between shots
If the virus spreads quickly amongst the population, the chief veterinarian on Phillip Island in charge of the program might shorten the four-to-six week time window in between shots.
“Optimally it would be three to four weeks, but you could administer it within one to two weeks,” Todd said.
👀 Keep an eye out
Symptoms of avian flu in wild birds include animals having difficulty walking, breathing or flying, an unusual head or neck posture, a droopy appearance or dying suddenly without an apparent cause.
If you see any of these signs on birds in your community, you can report it to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.
If you find a deceased bird, don't touch it and try to keep dogs away.