Avian influenza and wildlife

Look out for avian influenza

New Zealand has never had a case of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI). The H5N1 strain of HPAI has caused high numbers of deaths in wild birds overseas, including shorebirds and seabirds. It can also spill over to mammals, including marine mammals and, in a few cases, humans.

The likelihood of the introduction of HPAI H5N1 on pathways that we manage is low. As information emerges about the distribution of the disease in Antarctica, there will be a better understanding about the likelihood of it reaching New Zealand through wild bird movements.

While there are many other possible causes of illness and death in wild birds, be aware of HPAI so you can minimise risks to yourselves and other animals if you encounter sick or dead birds.

Signs of HPAI

The most obvious sign of HPAI H5N1 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.

How to protect yourself and prevent possible spread

Although avian influenza viruses rarely infect people, you should always maintain good hygiene practices when handling wild birds.

If you are going tramping, camping, hunting, walking dogs near bird colonies, or going anywhere you might be more exposed to wild birds or marine mammals, maintain good hand hygiene. Wash your hands either with soap and running water or use alcohol hand rubs as frequently, thoroughly, and often as possible – especially before and after contact with animals and their environments.

Do not touch, handle or collect any dead or dying birds. These should be left alone to prevent spread of any disease and to protect human health. Watch children and dogs to make sure they don’t touch them either.

Report sick or dead birds to Biosecurity New Zealand’s Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66.

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 harvested birds
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 at least 73°C for at least 2 to 3 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.

Food safety for hunters

If you attract birds to your garden

If you attract wild birds to your garden, keep an eye out for signs of HPAI and make sure you wash and dry your hands after filling bird feeders or cleaning up bird droppings.

If HPAI H5N1 does arrive in New Zealand, you may need to take further precautions, particularly if you have poultry or other animals at your property.

We’ll update this page with more detailed information if the likelihood of HPAI H5N1 arriving in New Zealand increases.

What to do if you find sick or dead birds

It's important to report findings of sick or dead birds so we can investigate the cause and minimise the risk of disease spread, if an exotic disease (new to New Zealand) is found.

If you see 3 or more sick or dead birds in a group, report it immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand's Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Do not handle the birds.

Provide as much detail to Biosecurity New Zealand as you can, including:

a GPS reading or other precise location information
photographs or videos of sick and dead birds
species of affected birds
note how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number present.

Follow any instructions from Biosecurity New Zealand for handling of sick or dead birds.

Report avian influenza [PDF, 738 KB]

Culling wild birds can increase disease spread

Culling or dispersing wild birds in an attempt to prevent possible spread of HPAI could increase the risk of transmission.

Widespread culling is known to disrupt bird populations, leading to mixing and potentially higher transmission rates.

Disturbing groups of wild birds might cause them to disperse and spread the disease further. Other birds will quickly move into the vacated space and may bring the virus with them.