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.
Know when to report
The most obvious sign of bird flu is the sudden or unexpected death of multiple birds or marine mammals in a group. Other signs, especially in waterfowl, can include drowsiness, lack of coordination, and an inability to fly.
If you see three or more sick or dead wild birds, marine mammals or other wildlife, report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 or report online at report.mpi.govt.nz. 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 wildlife.
Provide as much detail as you can, including:
- common name or species of sick or dead bird if known
- how many 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
- how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number of birds present.
One of our specialist biosecurity investigators will assess the information and contact you.
How to report suspected bird flu [PDF, 643 KB]
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.
Birds in your garden
If you attract wild birds to your garden, keep an eye out for signs of bird flu. Make sure you wash and dry your hands after filling bird feeders or clearing bird droppings.
Learn more about precautions to take, particularly if you have poultry or other animals on your property.
Bird flu and protecting your birds
Reporting and practical guidance
How to report suspected bird flu [PDF, 643 KB]
Guidance for dealing with sick or dead birds during an HPAI H5N1 outbreak (General) [PDF, 1.8 MB]
Hunting and food safety
H5 bird flu – information for game bird hunters – fact sheet [PDF, 473 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)
Avian influenza and other wildlife diseases – Department of Conservation (DOC)