Deadly bird flu confirmed in New Zealand. Here’s what you need to know

Thursday, 16 July 2026

H5N1 has been confirmed in a brown skua found at Petone Beach in Wellington.

There is no evidence the virus has spread to poultry or other wildlife.

Properly cooked eggs, chicken and other poultry products remain safe to eat.

Report groups of three or more sick or freshly dead wild birds to MPI’s exotic pest and disease hotline.

After years of preparing for its arrival, New Zealand has confirmed its first case of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu virus.

Officials say there is no evidence it has spread beyond a single wild seabird, but are urging the public to report sick or dead birds while they monitor for any further detections.

The virus was detected in a brown skua found on Petone Beach in Wellington, marking the first confirmed detection of the H5N1 strain in New Zealand after it spread through bird populations across Europe, Asia, the Americas and Antarctica.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the detection was limited to the one seabird and there was no evidence of transmission between wild birds in New Zealand or into poultry.

Have you spotted sick or dead birds where you live? Email us newstips@stuffdigital.co.nz

The bird was found on July 10 after members of the public noticed it was unusually allowing people to approach it despite showing no obvious signs of illness. It later tested positive for H5N1.

Here’s what you need to know

Is it safe to eat eggs and chicken?

Yes.

Hoggard said the virus is not considered a human health issue and properly cooked eggs, chicken and other poultry products remain safe to eat.

There have been no detections in commercial poultry flocks.

“You’re free to go to KFC,” Hoggard told NZME on Thursday.

Why are officials concerned?

The H5N1 strain has devastated poultry industries overseas, killing millions of chickens, ducks and turkeys.

Hoggard warned that if the virus reached a commercial chicken shed, mortality rates could be between 95% and 100%.

An outbreak could require entire flocks to be culled and facilities thoroughly decontaminated before production could resume, potentially affecting supplies of eggs and chicken.

Are pets at risk?

The risk to people remains low, but experts say pet owners should prevent dogs and cats from coming into contact with sick or dead birds.

University of Otago virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan said overseas the virus has infected mammals including cats, seals, sea lions and dolphins.

“So if you’re taking your dog for a walk on the beach, don’t let it eat the dead seagull,” Hoggard said.

How about humans?

Infectious diseases expert Professor David Murdoch said earlier this month the risk to the public was very low, with human infections reported overseas almost all being in people with “close, direct, unprotected contact with infected birds or animals”.

“Importantly, there is still no evidence of sustained person-to-person spread, and that remains the single most important barrier between this virus and a wider human health threat,” he said.

However, “we still take H5N1 seriously,” he said, “because influenza viruses evolve, and this lineage has shown an unusual ability to infect a growing range of mammals.”

What about NZ’s wildlife?

Scientists say New Zealand’s unique birdlife and marine mammals could face significant impacts if the virus becomes established.

Geoghegan said many native bird species were already under pressure, making H5N1 an additional threat.

As part of its preparations, the Department of Conservation has begun vaccinating about 300 core breeding birds from some of New Zealand’s most endangered species, including kākāpō, takahē, kakī/black stilt, tūturuatu/shore plover and kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet.

What should you do if you find sick birds?

MPI is asking people to report groups of three or more sick or freshly dead wild birds.

Signs of infection can include paralysis, weakness, shaking, breathing difficulties or diarrhoea.

People should avoid handling sick or dead birds. If possible, record the location, take photos or video and report the birds to MPI’s exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

What happens next?

Biosecurity officials will continue monitoring for any further detections to determine whether the virus remains confined to a single wild bird or whether additional cases emerge.

For now, officials say there is no evidence the virus has spread beyond the brown skua found on Petone Beach or into New Zealand’s poultry industry.