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H5 bird flu

H5 bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b) is a highly contagious viral disease of birds that has been spreading around the world. The disease was confirmed in New Zealand in a single ocean-going seabird in July 2026.

In this section

I tēnei wāhanga

About bird flu and the risk to New Zealand

Symptoms of the disease and how it's spreading

Commercial poultry

Minimise the risk to your flocks

Dairy cattle and other livestock

About the risk to livestock and what you can do  

Bird flu and protecting your birds

Know what to do to be ready for bird flu

Surveillance and response

What we've been doing to prepare and respond to bird flu

Protecting our native species

How we can protect our native species

Avian influenza: staying safe and alert when outdoors

How to stay safe and what to look out for when you’re outdoors

Information for veterinarians

Bird flu, clinical signs, management of suspected cases, reporting, and resources

Avian influenza, food safety, and human health

Find out the risks and how to stay safe

Avian influenza newsletters, fact sheets, science reports, and other resources

Factsheets, newsletters, science reports, and other resources about HPAI

A strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago

Find out more about the case of H7N6 in Otago and how we are responding to prevent the disease spreading

Resources for media about bird flu

Photos, videos, and other resources for media use