Bird flu spread likely inevitable as first case confirmed
Wednesday, 15 July 2026
What you need to know:
A sick skua found on Petone beach has since died and found to have H5 bird flu
H5 bird flu is low risk to human health unless there is prolonged contact. Eggs and poultry are still safe to eat
If you see a wild bird acting oddly, seems ill or more than one dead bird call the pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66
If you can do so safely, take photos but do not handle the birds
The spread of H5 bird flu in New Zealand is now inevitable with the discovery of a sick brown skua - found on Petone beach on July 10 - confirmed to have the disease.
The ocean-going bird, discovered by a member of the public, has since died. It had been taken to Wellington Zoo where it was tested two days ago. It is the first confirmed case in New Zealand.
The skua had been acting oddly, letting people approach it.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said at a press conference on Wednesday evening it was inevitable that more birds would showup on our shores coming from Antarctica with the flu.
“It poses a major risk to both the poultry industry and native birdlife,” he said.
It was hard to know how inevitable it was that it would reach New Zealand poultry sector.
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He said it was difficult to know, but emphasised that the poultry industry needed strong biosecurity preparedness.
Work had been ongoing with members of the poultry industry to put safeguards in place, but the death rate for chickens was up to 100%.
Professor Dianne Brunton from the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland said it was not a question of when the disease arrived but when it would establish.
'The detection of avian influenza H5N1 in an ocean-going seabird is evidence that New Zealand’s isolation will not keep out this deadly bird virus. While there is no suggestion of mass mortality in our wildlife or transmission between New Zealand birds, it is just a matter of time before H5N1 does establish.“
She said the response plans made by MPI, DoC, Ministry of Health and others were now critical.
“This bird was found in a populated area and we just don’t know how many birds may be out there with the virus in more remote areas, it is unlikely to be zero.'
Professor of Conservation Biology James Russell from Auckland University said overseas experience suggested impacts were strongest on waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans) and seabirds (penguins, gannets, gulls, skuas, albatrosses, petrels, shearwaters).
“Birds of prey that then feed upon these sick animals are also impacted (harriers and falcons) as are marine mammals (seals, sea lions and dolphins). Many of our bird species are not found overseas and so before bird flu arrives their vulnerability is not exactly known.”
Hoggard asked New Zealanders to be alert, not to handle birds they thought may be ill and to call in the experts. He also warned about people letting pets near wild birds.
H5 bird flu is a low health risk to the public as it rarely affects humans unless there is direct, close, and prolonged contact with large numbers of sick birds. Eggs and poultry remain safe to eat.
The H5 bird flu strain, formally known as H5N1 avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b, is the concerning virus that has been circulating globally.
“This is a coastal detection in an individual ocean-going seabird and there is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or transmission between wild birds in New Zealand. There has been no detection in poultry,” Hoggard said.
“The situation is being closely monitored, but at this stage there is no evidence of any illness beyond this seabird. We’ve had people out on Petone beach checking and found no other issues. We will continue to monitor the beach and surrounding areas.
Hoggard asked that the community reported sick or dead birds and that no-one touched or handled unwell birds.
The Ministry for Primary Industries will also be monitoring for any sick birds and will work closely with industry, veterinarians, and wildlife carers.
Hoggard said if anyone saw dead or sick birds, report it, take photos, get a GPS spot if possible and send it through.
University of Otago virologist Professor Jemma Geoghegan, said there was no reason for public panic.
“People should avoid handling sick or dead birds and report unusual wildlife mortality,” she said. “Early reporting will help us to respond quickly and reduce the risk to native wildlife and poultry.'
MPI, the Department of Conservation, the Ministry of Health, and Health New Zealand have been already preparing for the possible arrival of bird flu. New Zealand is one of the last countries in the world to have a case of the H5 bird flu.
“Our response is designed to manage the risks of H5 bird flu, to protect poultry production, and reduce impacts on wildlife and communities,” Hoggard said.
There were no detections in poultry, but Hoggard’s statement said on-farm biosecurity practices remained crucial to protect the health of their flocks.
“Australia has recently experienced finds of single birds with H5 bird flu in coastal areas with no reports of mass mortalities. We may see a similar pattern here and we will remain vigilant.
'We are continuing to act early and prepare carefully, while asking the community to remain watchful and report three or more sick or dead birds in a group to the MPI pest and disease hotline.'
DOC has started a vaccination programme for 300 core breeding birds from five of our most endangered birds - kākāpō, takahē, tchūriwat’/tūturuatu/shore plover, kakī/black stilt and kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet.
'It was always going to be soon for New Zealand’s first case of bird flu,“ said Brett Gartrell, professor in Wildlife Health and director of the Wildbase Research Centre at Massey University in a statement.
“The good news is DOC have already mobilised their plans to protect our most threatened species. The big unknown for us is how vulnerable some of our endemic species will be to the virus.”
In a statement, the associations representing poultry and egg industries said they had been preparing for a bird flu outbreak for some time.
“We would like to reassure the public that all the necessary steps are in place to manage this outbreak and protect our birds, people and the food supply,” said Poultry Industry of New Zealand executive director Fiona MacMillan.
“Our egg and poultry farmers are working hard to look after the welfare of our animals and protect our national food supply of eggs and chicken.”
Zoos are taking immediate precautions. Wellington Zoo remained open but was cancelling its encounters with kororā/little penguins and will no longer be accepting or admitting any injured birds to its animal hospital.
What people can do
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 from anywhere in New Zealand.
Don’t handle or move the birds. Go to www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu to find out more.