Seabird found on Wellington beach tests positive for H5 bird flu

Bird flu has been detected in New Zealand.

The H5 bird flu strain has been circulating globally, with more than a dozen cases reported in Australia since it was detected there last month.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said a single ocean-going seabird - a brown skua - returned a positive test for H5 bird flu on Wednesday after it was found on Petone Beach in Wellington.

There was a low health risk to the public, he said, as it rarely affected humans unless there was direct, close, and prolonged contact with large numbers of sick birds.

Hoggard said eggs and poultry remain safe to eat.

"There is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or transmission between wild birds in New Zealand. There has been no detection in poultry," he said.

"The situation is being closely monitored, but at this stage there is no evidence of any illness beyond this seabird. We've had people out on Petone beach checking and found no other issues."

They would continue to monitor the beach and surrounding areas, Hoggard said.

"We ask the community to be alert and follow advice about reporting sick or dead birds. It is vital that people do not touch or handle unwell birds."

Hoggard said New Zealand was well prepared to respond to H5 bird flu, and government agencies had been working with industry and councils to protect poultry production, wildlife and communities.

Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) was testing birds every few days through reports and targeted wildlife surveillance, Hoggard said.

"While there are no detections in poultry, producers are reminded that on-farm biosecurity practices are crucial to protect the health of their flocks."

Australia had not reported any mass mortalities, having only found single sick birds, he said.

"We may see a similar pattern here and we will remain vigilant."

The Department of Conservation had begun vaccinating 300 core breeding birds from five of the countries most endangered birds - kākāpō, takahē, tchūriwat'/tūturuatu/shore plover, kakī/black stilt and kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet.

What to do if you see sick birds

Hoggard asked people to keep an eye out for sick or dead birds, and warned not to touch them.

Officials said anyone who sees three or more sick or dead wild birds in a group should report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.