Bird Flu Avian Influenza

About bird flu

Bird flu (also called avian influenza) is a virus that affects birds. It spreads easily between birds, especially those that gather in groups. However, it can also spread to mammals - including people.

There are two main types of avian influenza:

• high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), which can cause severe signs and high death rates in birds. There are a number of strains including H5, H7, and H9.

• low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI), which typically causes few or no signs in birds but can possibly mutate to HPAI.

LPAI is very common and is present in wild birds in Aotearoa New Zealand. LPAI causes few or no signs of illness in wild birds. However, a low pathogenicity strain of avian influenza can mutate into a high pathogenicity strain if it is introduced to chickens. 

Strains of HPAI have circulated globally for years. Many countries have seasonal outbreaks in poultry every year.

Why we're concerned now

The H5N1 strain (also called H5) spreading globally is the most serious type. It can spread more quickly across longer distances than previous strains, and affects a broad range of bird species. It has infected birds across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and even Antarctica.

It can cause high numbers of deaths in poultry (chickens and turkeys), waterfowl (ducks, geese and swans), shorebirds (godwits, stilts and plovers), and seabirds (gulls and terns). It has spilled over to more than 60 species of mammal, including marine mammals, companion animals, and livestock.

This strain of bird flu can spread by direct contact between infected and healthy birds, or through contamination of equipment and materials, including water and feed.

The virus in Aotearoa New Zealand

Bird flu was first detected in the country in July 2026. The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) confirmed the country's first case of H5 bird flu in a single ocean-going seabird - a brown skua - found at Petone Beach in Wellington. A few days later, a kāhu (swamp harrier hawk) found near Carterton became the second bird confirmed to have H5. 

As of July 2026, there is no evidence of widespread bird flu cases in New Zealand. No cases have been detected in the Horizons Region.

The signs of bird flu

The most obvious sign of bird flu is the sudden death of several birds. Other signs include:

• weakness and trembling

• paralysis

• breathing difficulties

• blindness

• diarrhoea.

Poultry can show more severe signs, including loss of appetite, droopy head, nasal discharge, unusual drop in egg production, and bleeding disorders.

What to do if you suspect bird flu

Do not touch birds you suspect of having bird flu.

Instead, you should Avoid, Record Report.

Avoid: Keep yourself, children and pets away. Do not touch the birds or area around them. Observe the birds from a safe distance (at least a few metres).

Record: Note where you saw them (park name, GPS coordinates, landmarks, street address). Write down the time, date, how many birds you saw, the type/s of bird, and symptoms. Take photos from a safe distance if you can.

Report: Call the MPI Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66 24. The hotline runs 24/7. Alternatively, report online at https://report.mpi.govt.nz/pest/

Learn more about bird flu