Keep your distance
Stay away from sick or dead wildlife.
The best way to give sick wildlife a chance to recover is to leave them alone. Approaching wildlife can cause stress and may make their condition worse.
- Sick or dead wildlife can carry diseases that may make people and pets sick.
- Don't touch or move sick or dead wildlife.
- Keep children and pets away from dead wildlife and wildlife that is recovering.
Keep clean
Wash your hands and clean your gear after being outdoors.
When travelling between outdoor spots, ensure that your gear, clothing and footwear are clean. This will help reduce the spread of diseases between populations.
Wash your hands with soap and running water or use alcohol hand rubs frequently, thoroughly, and as often as possible. This is especially important before and after contact with animals and their environments.
Reporting bird flu
If you see 3 or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, avoid contact, record what you see and report it to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 from anywhere in New Zealand. You can also report online.
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.
Do not handle or move the birds.
Provide as much detail as you can, including:
- common name or species of sick or dead bird if known
- how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number of birds present
- a GPS reading or other precise location information
- photographs and videos of sick and dead birds.
MPI will contact notifiers if more information is required.
How to report suspected bird flu – fact sheet [PDF, 235 KB]
Video – Be on the lookout for bird flu if you're spending time in nature (0.58)
Transcript – show/hide
[This video begins with a slide containing the sentences “Be on the lookout for bird flu if you’re spending time in nature” and “With New Zealand's chief veterinary officer." The orange “bird flu, know what to do” logo is in the top right of the screen.]
Narrator, Mary van Andel: “If you’re spending time in nature, especially in coastal areas, be on the lookout for bird flu.”
[Mary van Andel appears as the words “Dr Mary van Andel, New Zealand's chief veterinary officer” also appear onscreen. A sign with the orange “bird flu, know what to do” logo is to the right of the screen.]
Narrator: “Kia ora. I’m Dr Mary van Andel, New Zealand's chief veterinary officer. I’m asking people who spend time outdoors to be alert for bird flu.
“While the risk to people is low, bird flu can spread among wild birds, poultry, and other animals. Make sure you know what to do to limit the impact of the virus.
“Keep your distance from sick or dead birds and keep pets away too.
“Keep clean by washing your hands and cleaning outdoor equipment after use.
“And know when to report. Report it immediately if you see 3 or more sick or dead wild birds in a group.”
[The words “0800 80 99 66” and “report.mpi.govt.nz” appear onscreen.]
Narrator: “Call 0800 80 99 66 or report online at report.mpi.govt.nz.
“These habits will help protect our wildlife, industries, and communities.”
[An orange screen appears with “Don’t let bird flu take flight,” the bird flu URL www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu, the “bird flu know what to do” logo, and the MPI and New Zealand Government logos]
[Video ends. End of transcript.]
Advice for hunters
New Zealand Food Safety's advice on food safety for hunters applies but in particular:
- don't harvest or handle wild birds (or their feathers) if they are obviously sick or found dead
- wash and dry your hands after handling or dressing wild birds
- don't eat, drink or put anything in your mouth while handling or cleaning raw harvested birds
- don’t allow your dogs to collect sick birds or pick up birds that are already found dead
- wash knives and other utensils, and scrub chopping boards between preparation of raw and cooked foods
- keep raw meat and poultry covered and away from ready-to-eat food, fruit, and vegetables
- cook birds well – an internal temperature of 75°C for at least 30 seconds, 70°C for 3 minutes or 65°C for 15 minutes is needed to kill bacteria and viruses
- scrub and disinfect all boots and equipment between hunting sites
- after each hunting trip, wash, or hose down any clothes that have been in direct contact with birds.
Gradually reduce wild bird feeding and remove bird baths
MPI does not recommend feeding wild birds or using bird baths in your backyard because they bring birds together and can increase the risk of disease spread. The Department of Conservation (DOC) encourages people to plant native plants, shrubs, trees, grass, harakeke and flowers in their garden to attract birds and support natural feeding practices.
If you are worried about wild birds that have become used to feeding, you can reduce feeding gradually and prioritise removing shared feeding points and bird baths.
Attract birds to your garden – DOC
Reporting and practical guidance
How to report suspected bird flu [PDF, 235 KB]
Hunting and food safety
H5 bird flu – information for game bird hunters – fact sheet [PDF, 384 KB]
High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) – Fish & Game NZ
Avian influenza, food safety, and human health
General information
Avian influenza – World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)