Second bird tests positive for H5 bird flu

Listen live at 4.45pm: Conservation Minister Tama Potaka on the second confirmed bird flu case

A second bird found near Carterton in Wairarapa and taken to a Palmerston North wildlife hospital has been confirmed to have H5 bird flu.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard says it's disappointing but not unexpected, following the confirmation earlier this week of a first case found at Petone Beach, near Wellington.

The native kāhu, or swamp harrier hawk, could have been infected by "hunting, eating or scavenging infected birds", said Hoggard.

He said there had been no detection in poultry.

"The find shows our continuous bird flu surveillance and testing programme is working well, and as a result, we will step up our actions in response to bird flu in close co-ordination with our industry partners and others," Hoggard said.

Hoggard said the hawk could travel out the coast, especially in winter to hunt.

"Hawks can get bird flu by hunting, eating, or scavenging infected birds," he said.

"I remind New Zealanders to be alert and follow advice about reporting sick or dead birds. It is vital that people do not touch or handle unwell birds," he said.

On poultry, Hoggard said he supported free range farmers protecting their birds by temporarily housing them, but said that was a decision for individual businesses.

"We will have to learn to live with bird flu as it cannot be eradicated, and overseas experience shows strong biosecurity measures on-farm help."

He said chicken and eggs remained safe to eat and bird flu was a "very low risk to human health".

Hoggard said extra checking of birds at selected sites in Wairarapa would take place over the coming days in addition to one-on-one support for poultry and egg operations in Wellington and Wairarapa.

He said a technical advisory group would also be established.

Hoggard said the Department of Conservation (DOC) was continuing its vaccination programme for 300 core breeding birds.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said DOC had been preparing for the arrival of bird flu for several years and so far 67 birds had received their first vaccination.

He said as of Thursday night the Ministry for Primary Industries chief veterinary officer had approved the second tranche of the vaccination response.

"This approval gives DOC the ability to extend vaccination to further priority species and populations where it will provide the greatest protection.

"A final list of species has deliberately not been fixed."

On Wednesday, H5N1 bird flu was first confirmed in an ocean-going seabird - a brown skua. It returned a positive test after it was found on Petone Beach in Wellington on 10 July by a member of the public.

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

After announcing the first case, the minister said there would "undoubtedly" be more cases showing up on the shorelines.

The strain is likely to become endemic in New Zealand and could happen within a matter of months, MPI's chief veterinary officer says.

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.

Prior to the detection of the first case, the Department of Conservation had already started vaccinating core breeding populations of kākāpō, takahē, tchūriwat'/tūturuatu/shore plover, kakī/black stilt, and kākāriki karaka/orange-fronted parakeet, in an effort to protect some of the most endangered species from bird flu.

Otago University evolutionary biologist Jemma Geoghegan told Morning Report the newly arrived strain could be "catastrophic" for our native wildlife.

What to do if you see sick birds

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard earlier said birds behaving strangely, or a number of birds who had died together, would be the main signs to watch out for.

"Take photos, get a GPS spot if you can, send it through to us, that's the information we need. Obviously don't go and pick it up yourself. Let us know and we'll send the right people around to do it.

"If you are a poultry farmer and you have concerns, obviously talk to your vet and they'll talk to us. Even if you've just got a few chickens in the back yard and you're concerned, talk to your vet."

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.