H5 Bird Flu
)
New Zealand now has confirmed detections of H5 high pathogenicity avian influenza (H5 bird flu).
There is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife. There has been no detections in poultry.
Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat and bird flu is a very low risk to human health.
New Zealand is well prepared to respond quickly to H5 bird flu.
Response and surveillance work continues to step up in close coordination with industry partners and others agencies.
In addition to New Zealand’s continuous bird flu surveillance and testing programme, additional work will include:
extra checking of birds and marine mammals at selected sites in coastal areas in Wellington and the Wairarapa over coming days
alongside industry, MPI will continue to offer one-on-one support and advice to poultry and egg operations in Wellington and the Wairarapa
establishing a technical advisory group of expert scientists to supplement advice from MPI’s internationally recognised experts.
The Department of Conservation will continue its vaccination programme for 300 core breeding birds from 5 of our most endangered birds – kākāpō, takahē, tūturuatu/shore plover, kakī/black stilt, and kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet.
Be alert and use good habits to limit the impact of bird flu
Keep your distance. Stay away from sick or dead wildlife. Keep pets away too.
Keep clean. Wash your hands and clean your gear after being outdoors.
Know when to report. If you see 3 or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz
If you report online, select the ‘dead or dying wild birds’ option from the dropdown list and then the type of bird you have found. Don’t handle or move the birds.
Please note: Information on this page has been sourced from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) website.