Waitaki District Council is preparing for the arrival of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5N1 (HPAI or bird flu) in Otago
Bird flu has been detected in Wellington. There are no confirmed cases in Otago at this time.
MPI is leading the national One Health response, supported by DOC, Health NZ, and local authorities, including Waitaki District Council.
HPAI is a viral disease that primarily affects birds, but can affect marine mammals, companion animals and live stock.
If you see 3 or more sick or dead wildlife, report them to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz. If you report online, 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. Go to www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu to find out more.
Get more information on bird flu
Bird Flu - What you need to know
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral disease that affects wild and domestic birds. This page explains what you need to know and what to do if you spot a sick bird.
Key facts:
- Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease. It mostly affects domestic and wild birds.
- Bird flu has been detected in Wellington. There are no confirmed cases in Otago at this time.
- MPI is leading the national One Health response, supported by DOC, Health NZ, and local authorities, including Waitaki District Council.
- People who spend time outdoors - tramping, duck hunting, bird watching - can form good habits now that will help protect wildlife if bird flu arrives here. Keep your distance from sick or dead wildlife, keep your gear clean, and know when to report to MPI's Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline: 0800 80 99 66 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz. If you report online, select the ‘dead or dying wild birds’ option from the dropdown list and then the type of bird you have found.
What you can do:
- Keep children, dogs and other pets away from dead or sick birds.
- If bird flu becomes widespread in the wild bird population, we won’t be able to eradicate it from wild birds or prevent them from continuing to spread the virus.
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If you see 3 or more sick or dead wildlife, report them to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz. If you report online, 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. Go to www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu to find out more.
Further Information
- Parks and public spaces in Waitaki remain open. We will advise immediately if this changes.
- If we identify areas of concern on council-managed land, we may take precautionary steps, including placing advisory signage or, in serious cases, temporarily restricting access. We will communicate changes clear and promptly.
- If you see bird flu signage at a park, beach, or reserve, please follow the instructions on the sign. Signage means we are taking precautions in that area. For more information visit mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu.
Understanding bird flu
Bird flu (also called avian influenza or HPAI) is a virus that affects birds. It spreads easily between birds, especially those that gather in groups. Overseas, it has caused serious outbreaks in wild bird populations, and Heard Island, off the coast of Australia, has been affected by an outbreak in a sea lion colony.
The strain we're concerned about
The H5N1 strain spreading globally is the most serious type. It has infected birds across Europe, Asia, the Americas, Australia and even Antarctica.
How does it spread?
Bird flu spreads when birds and other animals come into direct contact with infected birds, or through contaminated environments like water, mud, and droppings.
Who is affected?
The virus mainly affects:
- Wild birds like ducks, swans, geese, seagulls, and hawks
- Domestic poultry like chickens and turkeys
- Some wild mammals, including native sea mammals such as sea lions
Is it safe to each chicken and eggs?
Yes. Bird flu virus is killed by normal cooking temperatures. If you cook poultry and eggs properly, they are safe to eat.
There is no food safety risk from H5N1, and the risk to human health is assessed as low. More information about H5N1 bird flu is available at mpi.govt.nz/HPAI.
What about my pet birds?
Look for signs of illness in your birds and contact your vet if concerned, prevent contact between your birds and wild birds, and clean your boots, gear, surfaces and hands often.
Can people catch bird flu?
The risk to people is very low. Human cases overseas have been rare and mainly occurred in people who handled infected birds closely for a long time. If you avoid contact with sick or dead birds, your risk is extremely low.
Reporting sick or dead birds
What to do if you find three or more sick or dead birds
Do not touch them.
Follow these three simple steps:
Avoid
- Keep yourself, children, and pets away
- Do not touch the birds or the area around them
- Observe from a safe distance (at least a few metres away)
- Don't let pets investigate or play with the birds
Record
- Note where you saw them (park name, street address, GPS coordinates or landmark)
- Write down the date and time
- Write down how many birds you saw
- Describe the type of bird if you can (colour, size)
- Take photos from a distance if you can do so safely
Report
If you see 3 or more sick or dead wildlife, report them to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966 or online at report.mpi.govt.nz. If you report online, 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. Go to www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu to find out more.
Tell them:
- What you saw and where
- How many birds
- When you saw them
An MPI investigator will follow up.
Find more information at the links bar