What to do about the Bird Flu? Details, updates and resources.
- Pest Free Kaipatiki
- Jul 24
- 6 min read
The H5 bird flu has arrived to Aotearoa New Zealand. This disease mainly affects birds, and though it can spread to mammals, the risk to human health is low. Overseas, this flu has spread rapidly through both wild and poultry bird populations. The main concern for New Zealand is the potential effects on our native bird populations, that are already threatened or endangered. It is important that we all know what to do if we see a group of sick or dead birds, don't touch or move them, and report to MPI.
Continue reading to learn more about the bird flu and how to help with the response. You can also use the quick links below to go to your section of interest. This blog post will be updated regularly.
What is avian influenza (bird flu)?
Avian influenzas, or bird flus, are a common type of sickness in birds. Similar to human influenza, these flus can be seasonal and have several strains of varying strength. There are two main categories of bird flu, the first is low pathogenicity avian influenza (LPAI) which does not cause severe signs in sick birds, and the second is high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), which causes more severe sickness and death in birds. We already have LPAI strains in New Zealand, and have dealt with a HPAI incurrence before.
The specific type of bird flu that has just been found on our shores is a type of HPAI, known as the H5 bird flu (H5N1 avian influenza clade 2.3.4.4b). This flu has spread globally since 2020 and due to our geographic isolation, New Zealand has been protected until now.
For more details, see the MPI website.
The risks at a glance
Native Birds
Since our native bird populations are already small, the loss of even a small number of birds can be a big blow to their genetic diversity. This in turn affects their long term survival.
Native Mammals
Though called bird flu, the current H5 strain can infect mammals. This includes our native marine mammals. Like our manu, our small marine mammal populations are at a heightened risk.
Commercial Poultry & Livestock
There is a risk to poultry and livestock. This is not a food safety risk. With proper cooking and preparation, there is no risk of transmission through food.
Why is the H5N1 bird flu a concern for New Zealand?
The virulence of this strain is one reasons why the H5N1 is of particular concern. Overseas, the H5N1 disease has entered poultry, wild bird and livestock groups. Though some mammals can catch this bird flu, they can also recover from it. Additionally, while some humans have caught the bird flu, these cases have only been people who have worked very closely with sick birds or cattle. There has been no human to human transmission of the flu.
The main reason for concern in New Zealand is the potential spread through our native bird populations. Since these birds are already at risk or threatened, any losses in their population could be devastating to their long term survival as a species. The biggest risk is to marine and colony nesting bird populations, as their behaviour makes it easier for the disease to spread quickly between individuals.
Native birds are important not only ecologically, but culturally, and are a big part of why people get involved in conservation work and volunteering. It is important to know that conservation work has already been helping birds so far, by reducing mammalian predators and restoring their habitats to give them more space to live. This protects their population and means that birds are not all having to gather in the same place for food and shelter, reducing the chance of spread.
What can we do?
Good job! You have already finished the first step: learning is the first way we can help minimise the threat to our wildlife. Luckily, some birds are known to survive and build immunity, while 300 native birds are being vaccinated against the disease.
Depending on your situation, there are different things you can do to protect yourself, our native wildlife, and your own feathered and furry friends. For everyone, do not touch or move sick or dead birds, PFK and bird rehabilitation hospitals will not take in sick birds. Understanding when and how to report potential bird flu to MPI is the best way we can help. Watch the video above or continue reading for more details:
Reporting bird flu
Step 1: Keep your distance and take a photo.
Keeping your distance protects you, and prevents the disturbance of nearby birds. Taking a photo can help you or MPI identify the birds and whether the situation is due to bird flu. It can also give MPI the specific location if your phone is set to record it.
Step 2: Identify the type of bird, number of birds, and your exact location.
This information can help MPI identify the overall risk of the situation and the level of response needed. Some risks can be to other birds, pets or people.
Step 3: Report to MPI on 0800 80 99 66, or via report.mpi.govt.nz, choosing the 'dead or dying wild birds' option.
After reporting, do not move the birds, leave the birds where they are. MPI are prioritising their response to reports so may not get back to you immediately
Specific information for different groups
General Public
First, know that this is not a human health issue, or a food safety issue.
This being said, it is always good to wash and dry your hands when returning home and when cooking. This is especially important if you've been to the park or places where birds congregate.
If you see a group of sick or dead birds report them using the instructions above or the linked flyer. Do not touch or move the birds.
Read more information on looking after pets below.
Volunteers
Working in bush areas, it is always good to have biosecurity hygiene measures, such as cleaning footwear, equipment, hands and clothing before and after volunteering.
If you encounter a group of sick or dead birds while volunteering in Kaipātiki, report it to MPI, then report in to us at team@pfk.org.nz so that we can let other volunteers know to avoid the area.
Do not touch or move the birds.
Pet and bird owners
Dogs and cats can get sick from direct contact with sick birds or from contaminated objects and excretions. This includes contaminated water sources, so keep pet food and water bowls inside. Keep dogs on leash when out walking, particularly on beaches, and cats inside.
Indoor pet birds have a low risk of becoming sick, but wash hands before and after handling birds or their cages.
If you have outdoor birds, identify the ways that they may come into contact directly or indirectly with wild birds, and take steps to reduce them.
Take down bird feeders or clean them daily with warm water and soap.
What to do about the bird flu?
For many New Zealanders, the thought of further loss to our birds is scary, and encountering a group of sick or dead birds may be distressing. It is promising that birds are known to recover from sickness, and we have tools like vaccinations to help protect them. It is also important to remember that reporting can help contain and track the spread of the flu. Together we can help keep our native birds, mammals, pets and ourselves safe from the H5 bird flu.
Resources
Commercial Poultry farmers
Bird Flu Biosecurity Aotearoa for biosecurity plans, processes and advice.
Latest Updates
24th July 2026
There have only been two confirmed detections of the H5 bird flu in New Zealand. The first a brown skua, a seabird, and the second a kāhu, swamp harrier hawk. There have been no detections in commercial poultry and no mass deaths reported in wild birds.
It is still important to remain vigilant and report groups (3 or more) of sick or dead birds to MPI.
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