Worried about bird flu in New Zealand? Here’s what you should know.

Avian influenza (or bird flu) has many different strains, and it’s been around for a long time. But if you’ve been seeing it in the news lately, you’ve probably been hearing about HPAI, or “high pathogenicity avian influenza”– a very contagious and deadly strain that’s been spreading around the world since 2020.This strain is also referred to as H5N1.

The virus primarily affects wild, domestic and farmed birds, but can spread to mammals including dairy cattle, seals, cats, and humans. This strain is causing concern because it’s very contagious, has killed large numbers of wild birds, and is the first that’s shown it can affect large numbers of mammals.

The H5N1 virus has been spreading around the world since 2020, but New Zealand has just confirmed its first official case. Several cases have been recorded in Australia.

Bird flu is highly contagious to both wild and domestic birds, and can spread to mammals. It could have devastating impacts on New Zealand's native birds and wildlife, as well as farmed birds such as poultry chickens. Other types of animals such as cats and dairy cattle are at a lower risk of contracting the virus, but farmers are cautioned to be prepared.

The good news is that New Zealand is well prepared to respond to such a situation. We need to be aware of the risks and take precautions, but it isn’t necessary to panic. Right now, the best thing you can do is understand what's going on – and if you own birds or other animals, do what you can to protect them.

Putting things in place to prevent contact between your birds and wild birds, and improving your biosecurity and cleaning processes, are steps you can take now to protect your flocks – and yourself – from H5N1.

MPI is the lead agency handling New Zealand’s response. Their website is a great place to start learning about bird flu and how to prepare for it, including this page.

If you’re a commercial poultry or egg farmer:

H5N1 causes high mortality in poultry breeds. There are steps you can take to protect your flocks and your healthincluding limiting visitors, creating indoor housing for your birds to minimise their risk of catching the virus from wild birds, and taking steps to help avoid spreading the virus.

Head to MPI’s website for more information.

If you’re a backyard poultry owner:

MPI’s website has lots of information about how to protect your birds, and tips for things you can do to mitigate risk, like birdproofing enclosures, quarantining new birds, and keeping wild birds out of your birds’ habitat. You can find more details here.

If you’re a dairy cattle or other livestock owner:

Outbreaks within cattle herds have only been reported by dairy farmers in the US, whose herds likely caught the virus from ducks. No instances of the disease have ever been recorded in beef cattle.

New Zealand farmers use very different practices than US farmers, so the risk of transmission from birds to cattle or other livestock is low. But it’s still important to be aware of the situation and keep up to date with the latest information.

Head to MPI’s website to learn more.

If you’re worried about native birds and wildlife:

Our native birds and other native species are a key focus of New Zealand’s work in preparing for H5N1. We know that if the virus spreads to our wild bird population, we won't be able to eradicate it, and management options will be limited.

New Zealand has strong systems in place to deal with the arrival of H5N1. The Department of Conservation is leading work to mitigate risks to threatened species on public conservation land, including work on a vaccine for wild birds. MPI’s website has more information.

The most obvious sign of H5N1 is sudden death or severe illness in groups of birds. Keep an eye out for signs of illness in birds that might be happening because of bird flu.

One of the most noticeable signs of bird flu is the sudden deathof multiple birds in a group. Other symptoms to watch for include:

• Weakness and trembling
• Paralysis
• Breathing difficulties
• Lack of coordination
• Blindness
• Diarrhoea

MPI’s website has more information about symptoms to watch out for.

If you see three 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. Do not handle or move them yourself, and keep your own animals away from them. One of MPI’s specialist biosecurity investigators will assess the information and tell you what to do next.

This also applies if you’re a farmer or have backyard chickens. If a group of your birds suddenly becomes ill or dies, follow the steps above.

You can find more information about how to report a sick bird on MPI’s website.

Now that the virus has arrived in New Zealand, the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) will be the main agency leading the response. We’ll share updates when we can, but MPI is the best and fastest source of information.

Head to their website for more information about bird flu.

You should also frequently check their social media channels, like Facebook, for the latest news and advice.