Australia will vaccinate bird species considered particularly vulnerable to the H5 strain of avian influenza, authorities announced today. Australia detected its first H5 bird flu case in June, after previously avoiding the disease. As part of efforts to protect bird populations, authorities will carry out targeted vaccinations among captive and, where possible, wild birds. “Where it is possible to vaccinate wild birds, we will do so, but our priority is to vaccinate captive birds,” Environment Minister Murray Watt said. Australia has an exceptionally vulnerable wildlife population, with almost half of its wild bird species and 83% of its mammals found nowhere else in the world.