What is HPAI and how you can keep your birds safe
High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is a viral disease that affects both domestic and wild birds.
HPAI viruses cause high mortality in poultry (chickens, turkeys, and quail), and waterfowl (ducks, geese, and swans).
Strains of HPAI have been circulating globally for many years, with many countries having seasonal outbreaks every year. In 2020, a new H5N1 virus emerged in domesticated and wild birds across the northern hemisphere and began to spread.
The likelihood of the introduction of HPAI H5N1 to New Zealand on pathways that we manage is low. As information emerges about the distribution of the H5N1 strain of the disease in Antarctica, we will have a better understanding about the likelihood of this strain reaching New Zealand through wild bird movements.
Once in New Zealand, the virus could spread by direct contact between infected and healthy birds, or through contamination of equipment and materials, including water and feed.
Overseas, HPAI H5N1 has been detected in a variety of land-based and marine mammals, which can be infected after coming into close contact with, perhaps eating, infected wild birds or contaminated material associated with domesticated birds (e.g. litter). In March 2024, it was detected in dairy cattle in the United States.
Avian influenza and domestic birds [PDF, 1.3 MB]
How to protect against HPAI
You can reduce your birds' exposure to viruses from wild birds by practising good biosecurity.
- don't allow wild birds to access to your birds' food or water. Prevent contact between domestic and wild birds with fencing or netting.
- regularly clean bird housing and equipment, and don't share equipment with other bird owners.
- quarantine new poultry and birds for 2 weeks before introducing them to your current birds. Look for any signs of disease appearing during this time.
- always thoroughly wash your hands with soap before and after handling birds. Clean your footwear and wash clothing regularly and avoid using the same clothing and footwear around your own birds if you have visited other flocks or events such as shows.
HPAI is a notifiable disease, which means there is a legal obligation to report suspected outbreaks.
Signs of HPAI
The most obvious sign of HPAI is sudden death in several birds. Other signs can include one or more of the following.
Poultry
- lethargy/reluctance to move
- reduced appetite
- droopy head
- darkened and/or swollen comb/wattle
- panting and nasal secretions
- unusual drop in egg production
- bleeding disorders
- a silent poultry shed.
Waterfowl
The signs are similar to poultry but can be less severe and slower to progress:
- weak neck and lack of co-ordination
- blindness
- trembling.
Look out for high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) poster [PDF, 1.4 MB]
Confirming diagnosis
Avian influenza can only be diagnosed and confirmed through laboratory testing. If you have a small number of poultry in your backyard exhibiting similar symptoms, contact your veterinarian first to rule out more common avian diseases.
Wait for your veterinarian's instructions before handling any sick or dead birds.
Pet birds
All species of birds are thought to be susceptible to the HPAI virus that is circulating overseas. Keeping birds under cover and separate from wild birds will help protect them from HPAI.
Food safety
HPAI infection in humans is rare and is generally associated with direct contact with infected birds. HPAI is sensitive to heat treatment, meaning that cooked food is safe to eat. There is no evidence that eggs or chicken meat, or foods that contain them, are routes of infection of humans for avian influenza, provided they are properly cooked.
Native birds
Read about how we are protecting our native birds.
Report it
If you see 3 or more sick or dead wild 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 and/or videos of sick and dead birds
- species identity and estimate of numbers affected
- note how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number present.
Biosecurity New Zealand will take details and an incursion investigator will be in contact with you.
Follow any instructions from Biosecurity New Zealand for handling sick or dead birds.
Find out more about avian influenza
Avian influenza – World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
Avian influenza and other wildlife diseases – Department of Conservation (DOC)
