New Zealand reports first H5N1 bird flu case in migratory seabird

New Zealand has reported its first confirmed case of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu after a migratory seabird tested positive for the virus. The affected bird, identified as a brown skua, was found on a beach near the capital city, Wellington.

This detection marks the arrival of the virus in New Zealand, which had been preparing for its potential entry. The case follows recent detections in Australia, the last continent to report the virus, where it has spread among wild bird and mammal populations since 2021, causing significant mortality.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard assured the public that there is currently no evidence of mass mortality in New Zealand's wildlife or transmission between wild birds within the country. Crucially, the virus has not been detected in any poultry flocks. New Zealand has been collaborating with its poultry industry to establish biosecurity and resilience plans in anticipation of such an event.

Health officials have initiated a vaccination program targeting 300 core breeding birds from five of the country's most endangered species as a precautionary measure. New Zealand's situation may mirror that of neighboring Australia, which has recorded numerous H5 bird flu detections.

“

There is no evidence of any mass mortality in wildlife or transmission between wild birds in New Zealand. There has been no detection in poultry.