Vaccination against avian flu for some birds at Mandai parks

Pilot scheme aimed at maintaining vigilance as deadly virus continues to spread globally

- Shabana Begum Correspondent

From 2026, some birds in Mandai Wildlife Reserve’s parks will be vaccinated against bird flu as part of a pilot initiative to prevent the spread of the contagious disease in the Republic.

While Singapore has remained free of avian influenza, the virus is present in many parts of the world and continues to spread globally, underscoring the need for vigilance, said the National Parks Board (NParks), Mandai Wildlife Group and a French animal health company providing the vaccine on Nov 20.

Moreover, Singapore is a hot spot for migratory birds, which may carry the H5 avian influenza, a deadly virus that has wiped out numerous poultry farms in Europe and even spread to mammals like cows in the US and elephant seals on an island near Antarctica. The world is in the midst of an outbreak that saw a resurgence in 2022.

While the occurrences are low, humans have also been infected with the deadly bird flu. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the H5 avian influenza has infected 71 people in the US since 2024.

Birds of prey and threatened species in the Mandai zoological parks could be among the feathered animals that will receive the mRNA vaccine, made by French company Ceva Animal Health, from 2026.

Among the species that may be included are the brahminy kite, a type of eagle, the critically endangered white-backed vulture and the marbled duck.

On Nov 19, NParks, Mandai Wildlife Group, Ceva, and endowment fund Ceva Wildlife Research Fund inked an agreement to jointly conduct the vaccination pilot.

The pilot will likely take at least a year, and more information will be shared when available, said NParks and Mandai Wildlife Group.