Bird flu

All birds can catch bird flu, but some are at higher risk:

• waterbirds like ducks, swans and geese
• shorebirds like plovers, dotterels and oystercatchers
• seabirds like gulls, terns, gannets and penguins
• birds of prey or scavengers like hawks
• poultry.

These birds are at higher risk because they gather in large groups, share habitats (such as breeding colonies or poultry farms) with many other birds, or may eat other infected birds. Aotearoa New Zealand's endangered seabirds and shorebirds are of particular concern because their populations are already small, making them more vulnerable.

New Zealand has adopted a co-ordinated ‘One Health’ approach to bird flu, because of the interconnected risks H5N1 bird flu poses to human, animal and environmental health.

The One Health approach is a country wide collaboration. For bird flu, this means the Ministry for Primary Industries/Biosecurity New Zealand leads the national response, the Department of Conservation manages impacts on wild birds and native wildlife, and Health NZ/Ministry of Health provide human health guidance.

In the Waikato, the regional council plays a vital connector and communications role (sharing information and good practice), while supporting the national agencies. District and city councils are responsible for managing any responses needed on parks, reserves, open spaces and any other land they look after. This includes removing dead birds that may pose a risk to visitor and staff safety.

These terms all refer to the same disease, but with different levels of technical detail:

• ‘Bird flu’ is the common name. It's what most people call the disease and what we most often use.
• ‘Avian influenza’ is the scientific name. It means the influenza virus that affects birds. ‘Avian’ refers to birds.
• ‘HPAI’ stands for “Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza”. The word ‘pathogenic’ means it can cause disease. ‘Highly pathogenic’ means the virus spreads quickly and causes severe illness in birds. ‘HPAI’ is used when we need to be more technical or distinguish bird flu from other animal diseases.
• ‘H5N1’ is the specific strain we're preparing for. The ‘H’ and ‘N’ refer to proteins on the surface of the virus that scientists use to classify different types of influenza. H5N1 is the strain currently spreading globally.

Note: A different, less serious HPAI strain (H7N6) was detected on an Otago poultry farm in December 2024 and was eradicated. Visit mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu to learn more - see the link at the bottom of this page.

In countries where the current H5N1 strain of bird flu is present, human infection has been very rare. Generally, it has only occurred in people who have had a lot of contact with infected birds (such as chickens) or other infected animals. The risk to human health is considered low. Visit mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu to learn more - see the link at the bottom of this page.

Yes, properly cooked chicken and eggs are safe to eat. The H5N1 virus is killed by normal cooking temperatures. Food safety advice is available from the Ministry for Primary Industries: www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/66309-Food-safety-advice-during-bird-flu-outbreaks-Fact-sheet

Yes. You should follow the Ministry for Primary Industries’ guidance for backyard poultry owners to reduce the risk to your birds from wild birds. Visit www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu for current advice - see the link at the bottom of this page.

Pets are at very low risk but should be kept away from sick or dead birds and their faeces/droppings. Prevent pets from interacting with wild birds, backyard poultry and other outdoor animals. Keep pets away from clothes, surfaces or environments that could potentially be contaminated with avian influenza viruses. Watch for signs of illness in your animals and contact your vet if concerned.

The most obvious sign of bird flu in wild birds is several sick or dead birds. Other signs, especially in waterfowl, can include drowsiness, lack of coordination, and an inability to fly.

Signs of bird flu in chickens and other poultry include:

• lack of energy/reluctance to move
• eating less than normal
• droopy head
• darkened and/or swollen comb/wattle
• coughing, panting and runny nostrils
• swelling around the head and neck
• laying fewer eggs than normal
• watery or green diarrhoea
• bruises on the body and legs
• a silent hen house.

For more information:

Bird flu and protecting your birds: www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/animal-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza/bird-flu-and-protecting-your-birds

Staying safe and alert when outdoors:
https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/animal-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza/avian-influenza-staying-safe-and-alert-when-outdoors

Do not touch the bird. Keep children and pets away. If you find three or more dead or sick birds in one place, report it to the Ministry for Primary Industries Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline: 0800 80 99 66. Note the location, what type of bird it is if known, and when it was found.

Waikato Regional Council is monitoring the situation closely, working with the Ministry for Primary Industries/Biosecurity New Zealand, the Department of Conservation and local councils in the region. We will communicate directly with our community as the situation changes in our region. We will continue to:

• coordinate with MPI, DOC, Health NZ and territorial authorities and share information
• communicate with the public, via website updates, social media and media releases
• work with district/city councils to ensure consistent regional responses and robust plans are in place to manage bird flu outbreaks.
   

No. Decisions about culling poultry or other livestock sit with the Ministry for Primary Industries and industry. Councils support the national response but do not work directly with industry. Questions about poultry management should be directed to the Ministry for Primary Industries.

Yes. Public spaces managed by district/city councils remain open unless specific signage tells you otherwise. If you visit areas with birds, keep dogs on leads and away from any dead or sick birds. Do not touch/approach sick or dead birds. Wash your hands after outdoor activities.

There are three types of signs available when bird flu is detected in the Waikato:

• Bird flu advice signs: Provide general information about bird flu and basic protective behaviours.
• Warning signs: Alert people to confirmed or suspected bird flu in a particular area. Keep children and pets away, do not touch wildlife, clean footwear and gear.
• Closure signs: Indicate that a specific public area is temporarily closed due to bird flu. Follow local notices.

District and city councils that own and manage parks and reserves may need to temporarily close them to protect public health and manage access to areas with confirmed bird flu cases. Closures may be coordinated with the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Department of Conservation and are based on the risk to people and the local context. Priority sites that will require managing include areas with high bird numbers and where high numbers of visitors come to these sites.

Landowners, or whoever is responsible for managing the property, are responsible for birds that are sick or dead on their land. This includes private landowners as well as agencies managing public land. The Ministry for Primary Industries coordinates the national response in partnership with the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Health, and Health New Zealand; local and regional councils, iwi and hapū, industry, and community groups will also have roles depending on where the birds are found.

Because bird flu could become widespread quickly in wild birds, it will not be practical for the agencies to intervene on private land, so landowners should expect to make their own assessment following this MPI guidance: www.mpi.govt.nz/dmsdocument/69504-Guidance-for-dealing-with-sick-or-dead-birds-during-an-HPAI-H5N1-outbreak-General

In most cases, it is best to leave birds alone.

For sick birds, leaving them undisturbed gives them the best chance of recovery and reduces the risk of spreading the disease further. Do not take a sick bird to a vet or wildlife rehabilitation centre.

For dead birds, it is also preferable to let them decompose naturally, including on private land. You may need to consider moving a dead bird if it is somewhere people are likely to pick it up, if pets or other animals could come into contact with it, if there are large numbers of carcasses that could contaminate water, if it is near a bird colony or public access area, and only if you have the right protective equipment to do so safely.

If you decide to move and dispose of a small number of dead birds yourself, then household rubbish, burial, or a landfill or transfer station are all options, though you should check with your local council first in case any local rules apply. 

For household rubbish: wear gloves and eye protection, pick the bird up using a plastic bag over your hand or a shovel, place it in a single-use bag without touching the outside, then place that bag inside a second leak-proof bag along with your gloves or the bag you used to pick it up, tie it securely, and put it in your outdoor bin. Wash your hands thoroughly afterwards. 

For burial: dig a hole at least 60 centimetres deep away from any water source, and do not bury the bird inside a plastic bag. Offal holes on farms can be used for disposing of carcases, but generally only if they come from that property.

For landfill disposal: double-bag the bird in a leak-proof container, transport it in the boot of a car or tray of a ute with the windows open, and disinfect the container afterwards.

In every case, household disinfectant such as bleach is suitable for cleaning anything that has come into contact with the bird.

If you have more dead birds on your property than you can deal with yourself, contact your local council responsible for waste disposal in your city or district. They may be able to assist or connect you with others who can. Dead birds found in council parks, reserves, or DOC land should be reported to the appropriate agency – as the landowner, they will want to know so they can dispose of the dead birds if necessary.

Regardless of scale, you should still report three or more sick or dead wild birds found together to the Ministry for Primary Industries' hotline before taking any action.

Also see: Who is responsible for dealing with sick or dead birds I find?

After handling a sick or dead bird, wash any clothing and protective equipment with detergent, drying clothes on high heat where possible. Dispose of gloves and other contaminated disposable items in a sealed plastic bag in your outdoor rubbish bin, without touching the outside of the bag with your bare hands. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water; and clean any surfaces the bird may have contaminated with disinfectant cleaning products or wipes – household disinfectant, such as bleach, is appropriate. If you feel unwell after being around or handling birds, seek medical advice.

PCR (polymerase chain reaction) testing is the standard investigative method used internationally for detecting bird flu. The Ministry for Primary Industries follows international best practice and guidance from the World Health Organisation and OIE (World Organisation for Animal Health). Agencies involved follow the Ministry for Primary Industries' technical advice on testing. If you have specific questions about diagnostic methods, please contact the Ministry for Primary Industries directly.

The risk of transmission from birds to livestock such as cattle is very low. H5N1 bird flu spreads primarily between birds. Any livestock-related questions should be directed to MPI, which leads animal health and industry responses.

There is no widely available vaccine for H5N1 bird flu for people. Vaccination decisions for poultry are made by the Ministry for Primary Industries and the industry. Vaccination decisions for native birds are made by DOC. Health questions should be directed to Health NZ or the Ministry of Health.

Overseas, the H5N1 strain of bird flu has caused large numbers of deaths in wild birds, poultry, and some mammals. While we can’t prevent migrating wild birds from bringing the virus here, strong biosecurity hygiene measures and early detection can help reduce its impact.

This is why government agencies, including MPI, DOC, the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand are working together with industry and regional and local councils to get ready.

The country-wide focus is on:

• protecting native wildlife
• keeping poultry meat and eggs available
• supporting the poultry industry
• protecting people’s health.