DOC trialling bird flu vaccine on native birds

Tuesday, 29 October 2024

A vaccine against a deadly bird flu is being trialled on native birds by the Department of Conservation.

The H5N1 strain of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) has spread globally, with devastating consequences for wild bird populations in some areas - and an increasing number of mammals, including cattle, are getting infected.

DOC has confirmed that a small number of endangered native birds are receiving an HPAI vaccine, the Poulvac Flufend RG, in a trial to test its efficacy and safety.

The first phase of the trial, giving the birds two doses of the vaccine at least one month apart, is now complete.

The second phase, involving antibody tests and health assessments, is under way and expected to be finished by July 2025.

DOC biosecurity manager Clare Stringer said five native species were selected for the vaccination trial because of their critical conservation status and reliance on captive breeding for species survival: kakī (black stilt), takahē, kākāpō, tūturuatu (shore plover) and kākāriki (red-crowned parakeet).

Between eight and 10 birds from each species are included in the trial, taking place at locations in Southland, Fiordland, and Canterbury.

In Nelson, kākāriki are being vaccinated.

So far, none of the birds have shown any adverse reaction to the vaccine and initial tests show antibodies have been detected in all five species, Stringer said.

“However, we need to wait until the trial is complete for a fuller picture and more conclusive results on the potential protection provided by the vaccine against HPAI.”

If shown to be effective, the vaccine could be used for threatened native birds if HPAI arrived in New Zealand, she said.

University of Otago virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan said the vaccination trial was “hugely limited”.

“For the species that will be vaccinated, obviously, it’s a great thing, but use of wider vaccination, not just in wildlife, but in poultry and other animals would help us prepare.”

However, the Ministry for Primary Industries had regulations around using vaccines, which meant that DOC was tremendously restricted on the numbers and species they could vaccinate, Geoghegan said.

With most of our birds classified as endangered, the arrival of HPAI on our shores could wipe out several species already on the brink of extinction and would be “catastrophic” for our wildlife, she said.

Over the next few weeks, thousands of migratory birds would be returning to New Zealand from infected areas, meaning there was a “huge possibility” they could bring the virus back with them.

H5N1 is already a pandemic among wildlife, has crossed over into cattle and is spreading between them right across the US.

To date, 19 farm workers have been infected from their cattle, Geoghegan said. The virus had an estimated 50% mortality rate, though scientists believe it may be lower as some less severe infections might have been missed.

“It's not spreading between humans yet, but the more spillover events that occur into humans, the more likely this might become a human disease, too. So I think it's disconcerting on all levels,” Geoghegan said.

“It’s a huge problem that I feel people aren’t super aware of, and we should be.”

Geoghegan is involved in research developing a rapid test for HPAI in the environment using samples of pond water, faeces and sediment.