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Bird flu fears prompt surge in reports of sick and dead birds as MPI works through alerts

Nadine Roberts

July 18, 2026 • 5:33pmCopy Link

Bird flu fears prompt surge in reports of sick and dead birds as MPI works through alerts | Stuff

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New Zealand’s bird flu surveillance system is being put through its paces after the virus was found in a brown skua and a swamp harrier in the North Island last week.
New Zealand’s bird flu surveillance system is being put through its paces after the virus was found in a brown skua and a swamp harrier in the North Island last week. Photo: Rob Kitchin

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New Zealand’s bird flu surveillance system is being put through its paces, with MPI receiving a surge of reports about dead or sick birds following the discovery of H5N1 in the country.

MPI received 157 notifications of dead or unwell birds on Saturday, compared with just one or two reports a week earlier.

However, the increase does not mean bird flu has been detected in any of those birds, and some cases have been reported more than once.

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Deadly bird flu strain spreads to native wildlife

MPI is now working through the notifications to determine which, if any, require further investigation and testing.

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A spokesperson said cases were triaged, with priority given to reports of three or more birds that were deemed to be unwell or dead.

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There have been no new confirmed cases since Friday.

DOC has vaccinated 300 core breeding birds from five of the country's most threatened species: kākāpō, takahē, kakī (black stilt), tūturuatu (shore plover) and kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeet) after a global trial found the vaccine was safe to use in endangered birds.
DOC has vaccinated 300 core breeding birds from five of the country’s most threatened species: kākāpō, takahē, kakī (black stilt), tūturuatu (shore plover) and kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeet) after a global trial found the vaccine was safe to use in endangered birds. Photo: KELLY HODEL/WAIKATO TIMES

The increase comes after biosecurity officials urged the public to report unusual bird deaths or signs of illness following New Zealand’s first detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza.

There have been no new confirmed cases reported on Sunday morning.

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New Zealand has so far confirmed two cases of the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza in wild birds. The first was detected in a brown skua found on Petone Beach in Wellington, while the second involved a kāhu, or swamp harrier, found near Carterton in the Wairarapa.

Biosecurity officials believe the virus arrived in New Zealand via migratory seabirds. Both infected birds are scavengers, and MPI has said the second bird was likely infected after feeding on another dead bird carrying the virus.

Despite the detections, there is no evidence the virus has spread into commercial poultry flocks or backyard chickens, and authorities say there is no sign of widespread transmission among New Zealand’s wild bird population. The risk to the public remains low, although people are being urged not to handle sick or dead birds.

Bird Flu has caused widespread poultry deaths in Europe, the UK and the US.
Bird Flu has caused widespread poultry deaths in Europe, the UK and the US. Photo: Jeff McEwan / CAPTURE PHOTOGRAPH

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Since the first cases were announced, MPI has stepped up surveillance across the country and asked New Zealanders to report unusual numbers of sick or dead birds.

On Saturday the Department of Conservation (DOC) said staff in the Wairarapa region have moved to a higher alert status following bird flu being found in the a hawk in the area.

“Our Wairarapa operations teams have been briefed and are ready to support MPI with increased surveillance and reporting,” a spokesperson said.

“Higher alert means staff will be continuing their work as normal but with extra caution and carrying personal protective equipment when they’re in the field. We are getting ready to activate our site response plans should they be needed in the event there is an outbreak of H5 bird flu in native wildlife in this area.”

The spokesperson said public support on surveillance would help MPI and DOC with their response and the measures needed to protect New Zealand’s wildlife.

Bird Flu was found to have caused a Kahu Swamp Harrier Hawk’s death in the Wairarapa.
Bird Flu was found to have caused a Kahu Swamp Harrier Hawk’s death in the Wairarapa. Photo: Woolf Photography

New Zealand’s wildlife is considered particularly vulnerable to H5N1 because many native bird species evolved in isolation and have small, fragile populations. Overseas, the virus has caused a large number of deaths in wild birds as well as seals and sea lions, prompting fears it could have a significant impact on some of our rarest species if it becomes established.

DOC has vaccinated 300 core breeding birds from five of the country’s most threatened species: kākāpō, takahē, kakī (black stilt), tūturuatu (shore plover) and kākāriki karaka (orange-fronted parakeet) after a global trial found the vaccine was safe to use in endangered birds.

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Key numbers

  • 2 confirmed H5N1-positive wild birds.
  • 0 infected poultry flocks.
  • 0 evidence of widespread transmission or mass bird mortality.
  • 157 public notifications to MPI of sick or dead birds received on Saturday July 18
  • 300 endangered birds being vaccinated as a precaution.

What to do if you find sick or dying birds

If you see three 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 from anywhere in New Zealand or report online at report.mpi.govt.nz– if you use this method, select the ‘dead or dying wild birds’ option from the dropdown list and then the type of bird you have found.

Don’t handle or move the birds.

Provide as much detail as you can, including:

• common name or species of sick or dead bird if known

• how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number of birds present

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• a GPS reading or other precise location information

• photographs and videos of sick and dead birds

More information about H5 bird flu and the work New Zealand is doing to prepare is available at mpi.govt.nz/hpai.