澳大利亚维多利亚州菲利普岛发现了首例感染H5禽流感的小企鹅死亡病例[1][2]。菲利普岛是全球最大的小企鹅种群栖息地，拥有约40000只小企鹅[1]。维多利亚州首席生物多样性官员James Todd表示："We know that the detection in a little penguin on Phillip Island is of concern"[1]。
为应对疫情，维多利亚州政府宣布启动针对小企鹅的H5禽流感疫苗接种计划，这是全球规模最大的野生鸟类H5禽流感疫苗接种项目[1]。根据维多利亚州首席兽医官Dr Graeme Cooke的公告，疫苗接种将从周一开始进行[1]。本次疫苗接种覆盖菲利普岛和墨尔本圣基尔达海滩的小企鹅，共计约5000只[1]。疫苗接种需要间隔数周进行两次注射[1]。
同期澳大利亚还检出其他禽流感感染病例。维多利亚州发现了两例大凤头燕鸥感染H5的情况，分别位于Lakes Entrance和Dromana[1]。新南威尔士州也确认了第五例H5感染病例，位于Eden[1]。
Australia has confirmed its first death of a little penguin infected with H5 bird flu, with the case occurring on Phillip Island in Victoria.[1][2] In response, Victoria's government has announced a vaccination program beginning Monday targeting approximately 5,000 little penguins on Phillip Island and at Melbourne's St Kilda Beach, marking the world's largest H5 bird flu vaccination initiative for wild birds.[1]
Phillip Island is home to about 40,000 little penguins, representing the world's largest population of the species.[1] The vaccination requires two injections administered several weeks apart.[1] James Todd, Victoria's chief biodiversity officer, stated: "We know that the detection in a little penguin on Phillip Island is of concern."[1] Dr Graeme Cooke, the state's chief veterinary officer, confirmed that vaccination efforts would commence on Monday.[1]
The H5 outbreak extends beyond the penguin colony. Two cases of H5 infection have been detected in large-crested terns, located at Lakes Entrance and Dromana respectively.[1] Additionally, New South Wales has confirmed a fifth H5 infection case in the state, located in Eden.[1]