17/07/2026
The braided river birds will be making their way back to inland breeding habitats soon, and with them comes the risk that some may be carrying H5N1 bird flu. New Zealand's 2nd case has been confirmed in a Harrier. Please familiarise yourself with the symptoms of this virus and know when to report a suspected case to the Ministry of Primary Industries.
If you see three or more sick or dead wildlife, please call the MPI exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 809 966.
Signs of the spreading Bird Flu virus can include:
• Weakness or lethargy
• Difficulty standing or walking
• Tremors, seizures or other neurological signs
• Twisted neck
• Head pressing or circling
• Difficulty breathing or gasping
• Swollen eyes or head
• Sudden death, sometimes without obvious signs.
To keep yourself safe, please follow the advice given on the Biosecurity New Zealand website. This includes:
* Keep your distance. Stay away from sick or dead wildlife. Keep pets away too. Do not touch or move sick or dead birds.
* Keep clean. Wash your hands and clean your footwear, clothes and any gear when moving between outdoor areas, and especially if you've been near known or suspected cases.
Information that can be helpful for MPI investigators includes:
• An accurate location of the birds (GPS readings or precise descriptive location information)
• Photographs and/or videos of sick and dead birds
• Estimates of the number of birds affected and the species
• Descriptions of the visual symptoms of illness in sick birds
• How many sick or freshly dead birds are present
• An estimate of how long the birds might have been down.
More information is posted on the MPI website:
