Commercial poultry and avian influenza

HPAI and what it means for commercial poultry farmers

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, 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 December 2024, a strain of HPAI – H7N6 – was detected at a commercial egg farm in Otago. This is not the H5N1 strain that has been circulating globally. While it is not the H5N1 type circulating among wildlife around the world that has caused concern, we are taking the find seriously.

A strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago

HPAI H5N1

In 2020, a new H5N1 strain of the virus emerged in domesticated and wild birds across the northern hemisphere and began to spread.

The likelihood of the introduction of HPAI H5N1 on pathways that we manage is low. For example, there are tough import requirements on risk commodities that could be contaminated with HPAI such as poultry, meat, eggs, and egg powders. 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 HPAI H5N1 reaching New Zealand through wild bird movements.

We have robust surveillance systems to detect HPAI H5N1 should it arrive in New Zealand, and we are monitoring developments with the disease overseas.

HPAI spreads quickly by direct, bird to-bird contact as well as indirectly through bird contact with feed, water, clothing, equipment, materials, and surfaces that have been contaminated with the virus. Infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and faeces (droppings). Droppings from a single bird can contain enough virus to infect thousands of birds. Once one bird in a flock is infected, it can spread through the flock within days.

We're working closely with poultry industry bodies to support your preparedness for HPAI. We want to make sure you know the right actions to take to report and contain the spread of HPAI if it arrives, while keeping yourself safe.

Steps you can take to prevent disease in your birds

Putting good biosecurity measures in place now will help ensure that if HPAI arrives, you can protect your commercial flocks.

MPI is supporting industry to develop business continuity and biosecurity plans. Check your industry website for more advice and resources on HPAI H5N1.

Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand

Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand

Support for egg farmers

We have teamed up with the Egg Producers Federation to provide additional support for egg farmers. MPI's On Farm Support team can help you develop a tailored biosecurity plan for your farm. The service is free.

Email your farm's location and contact details with the subject 'Poultry biosecurity support' to onfarmsupport@mpi.govt.nz

An On Farm Support regional advisor will then talk with you about your existing biosecurity practices and what else you could be doing to strengthen your on-farm biosecurity. Every farm is different, so regional advisors take an individualised approach according to the size and type of farm and what you, as the farmer, want to achieve.

Our fact sheet has more details about the free support.

Biosecurity support for egg farmers – fact sheet [PDF, 1.4 MB]

Limit visitors to your operation to necessary people only

• Restrict their access to houses, sheds, and other bird areas.
• Require visitors to put on clean protective clothing and use foot baths before entering areas with birds.
• Require a stand-down period between farms.
• Keep a record of visitors and their contact details.

Avoid contact between your birds and wild birds

• Keep bird enclosures and poultry houses secure from entry by wild birds – net any access points, including vents, to prevent entry where possible.
• Restrict poultry access to open ponds, lakes, and creeks.
• Clean up surrounding areas to reduce shelter and hiding places for wild birds.
• Clean up any feed spills.
• Use bird scarers, spikes, and lasers to keep wild birds away.
• Remove any standing water that might attract birds.

Don’t let feed and water become contaminated

• Ensure water supplied to poultry is from a chlorinated mains water supply, a microbiologically clean bore, or treated with chlorine if these sources aren’t available.
• Store feed in a secure container so wild birds or pest animals can’t contaminate it.

Keep your sheds, equipment, and yards clean

• Stop any ingress of water to poultry houses, especially water from the roof that may have been contaminated by wild bird faeces.
• Clean areas outside of sheds regularly.
• Remove litter, sand, and grit between batches of birds and every few months for resident birds.
• Thoroughly clean and disinfect floors, walls, and aviary wire, particularly around entrance ways.
• Clean and disinfect feed and water containers regularly.
• Keep feed and water inside to avoid attracting wild birds.
• Don’t share equipment with other birdkeepers or farms unless it has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

Maintain good hygiene

• Have good hygiene practices before and after handling birds – this includes handwashing and sanitising.
• Sanitise boots between sheds or flocks, or if possible, have different coloured boots to wear outside and inside each of your sheds, or between flocks.
• Best practice is to wear PPE and change it between sheds. Use foot baths between sheds.

Isolate or separate new birds

• Separate and monitor new birds for at least 30 days before introducing them to your existing flock – separation reduces the risk of transfer of virus within your farm facility.
• Always source new birds from a reputable producer or a breeder whose bird health status is known.
• Feed quarantined new birds and clean their shed and any equipment used after you have tended to other birds.

Avian influenza health and safety guidelines for workplaces

Guidelines for workplace managers and people who work with birds and other animals at risk of avian influenza in New Zealand are available.

They provide advice for at-risk occupational groups – those in contact with potentially infected birds and other animals, their products and contaminated materials, or their environments and habitats.

We encourage you to familiarise yourself with the guidelines and consider what they mean for you or your business.

Avian influenza health and safety guidance for workplaces – Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora 

Look out for signs of HPAI

The most obvious sign is sudden death of multiple birds within a flock. As well as sudden mortality, signs for HPAI in poultry (chickens and turkeys) can include:

• lethargy or a reluctance to move
• reduced appetite
• swelling around the head and neck
• droopy head, paralysis, or incoordination (neurological signs)
• darkened or swollen face, discolouration of wattles and combs
• coughing, panting, and nasal discharge
• unexpected drop in egg production
• bruising or haemorrhages, especially of the legs
• watery or green diarrhoea
• a silent or "too quiet" poultry shed.

In domesticated waterfowl, such as ducks and geese, HPAI generally has lower mortality so it is harder to detect. Signs are usually related to the nervous system, such as involuntary movement, lack of coordination, blindness, and trembling.

Avian influenza and commercial poultry [PDF, 638 KB]

Signs of HPAI poultry A3 poster [PDF, 1.7 MB]

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 thoroughly cooked food is safe to eat.

There is no evidence that people can be infected with HPAI by eating thoroughly cooked poultry (like chicken, turkey, or duck) or eggs, or foods that contain them.

Avian influenza, food safety and human health

Implications for free-range producers

The Commerce Commission has provided guidance on free-range egg and poultry meat claims during an avian influenza outbreak, which you can read below.

Commerce Commission Guidance on Free Range Egg and Poultry Meat Claims During an Avian Influenza Outbreak [PDF, 141 KB]

Report it

If you see 3 or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Do not handle or move the birds.

Provide as much detail 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.

We will note the details and an incursion investigator will be in contact with you.

HPAI can only be diagnosed and confirmed through laboratory testing.