Preparing for HPAI
New Zealand has never had a case of the high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 strain which has caused high numbers of deaths in wild birds, poultry and mammals overseas, but we've been closely monitoring its spread.
There are many strains of avian influenza, but one strain we are concerned about is known as H5N1 2.3.4.4b. This strain has reached the Antarctic peninsula.
Unlike traditional forms of HPAI, this strain:
- has adapted to a wide range of birds and other wildlife
- has infected more than 500 bird species and 60 species of mammals around the world
- can spread quickly and over long distances
- has caused the death of millions of wild and domestic birds overseas.
As more information emerges about how the disease affects wild bird species in the Southern Ocean, we’ll have a better understanding of the likelihood of it reaching New Zealand through migrating birds.
While we can’t stop wild birds with HPAI H5N1 from coming to New Zealand, early detection and strong biosecurity can help reduce the impact of this disease if it gets here.
A different strain of avian influenza, H7N6, was detected at an Otago egg farm in December 2024. This strain is not a wildlife adapted strain like HN51 and is unlikely to be transmitted to mammals.
Early detection of bird flu
Early detection will be crucial to managing the impact on biodiversity, agriculture, and trade.
We are monitoring the global spread of the disease, particularly near the Ross Sea region in Antarctica.
The measures we have in place to ensure early detection of HPAI if it arrives in NZ
- The exotic pest and disease hotline for reporting suspected cases – 0800 809 966.
- Annual sampling and testing programme at non-migratory waterfowl sites with Fish & Game New Zealand.
- Monitoring and awareness with New Zealand's wildlife hospitals, poultry industry groups, veterinarians, and wildlife rehabilitation centres.
- A pilot project with Dunedin Wildlife Hospital to test wild birds for avian influenza.
- Working with DOC on any suspected exotic diseases in wild bird populations, including native birds.
- Working with the Ministry of Health on any suspect human cases of HPAI.
- Support and collaboration with World Organisation for Animal Health and international partners in avian influenza working groups.
- Biosecurity border checks for travellers coming into New Zealand who have had contact with poultry or wild birds, and for risk items and cargo.
Sampling kits have also been supplied to people working in the Antarctic region for use where there are bird deaths that raise concerns.
Strong biosecurity will help protect us from bird flu
We have strong biosecurity measures in place to prevent HPAI entering New Zealand through ways that can be managed (such as international flights). For example, visitors to New Zealand must declare if they have visited a poultry farm or other risk areas.
We can’t control the movement of wild birds. However, the implementation of rigorous on-farm biosecurity in New Zealand before HPAI H5N1 arrives here has the potential to protect individual farms from infection and to limit impacts on the domestic supply of poultry meat and eggs.
MPI is working closely with the poultry industry to ensure the industry, farmers and growers are ready.
This work includes supporting farmers and growers to have robust on-farm biosecurity plans in place, as well as supporting all parts of the wider industry to be prepared.
Preparation is a group effort
We know from the experience overseas that a joint approach between agencies to prepare for this disease is essential. That's why the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Department of Conservation (DOC), the Ministry of Health, and Health New Zealand (Te Whatu Ora) are working together with industry to prepare.
Our readiness and response planning aims to:
- reduce the impact on native species
- reduce the impact on the commercial poultry sector
- maintain supply of poultry meat and eggs to the domestic market and maintain access to overseas markets where possible
- protect human health.
Learning from others about bird flu
We’re talking regularly with international experts around the world to learn about how the disease is spreading and how other countries are managing it.
Representatives from MPI, the Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand, and the Egg Producers Federation visited the United Kingdom in August 2024 to learn from its experience with HPAI H5N1.
The UK has had 2 years’ experience responding to this strain and is similar to New Zealand in terms of geographic size and environment.
We heard from UK farmers that taking on-farm biosecurity seriously and implementing key measures can significantly reduce the risk of HPAI spreading from wild birds to commercial facilities. UK egg and poultry experts said that, at a minimum, New Zealand farmers need to reduce risk by:
- ensuring anything going into poultry sheds is protected from wild bird contamination
- protecting each shed individually rather than at the farm boundary level
- preventing water getting into sheds (potentially contaminated water from outside can bring avian influenza inside)
- ensuring staff are well-trained on the correct biosecurity requirements.
What to do if you find sick or dead birds
If you see 3 or more sick or dead poultry in a group, report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 so we can investigate the cause. Do not handle or move the birds.
Provide as much detail as you can, including:
- a GPS reading or other precise location information
- photographs and videos of sick and dead birds
- species name and estimate of the numbers affected
- how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number of birds present.
We will note the details and one of our specialist biosecurity investigators will assess the information and contact you.
Find out more about avian influenza
Avian influenza – World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)
Avian influenza and other wildlife diseases – Department of Conservation (DOC)
