Antoine Lamielle, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Bird flu lands in NZ – Expert Reaction

Expert Reactions  |  Published:

A single ocean-going seabird has tested positive for bird flu, after being found on Petone beach in Wellington.

It’s NZ’s first detected case of the bird flu strain that has killed birds and mammals around the world.

There is no evidence so far that the virus has spread beyond this one brown skua, the Biosecurity Minister says.

However, the public is being asked to report sick or dead birds, and to avoid touching them.

The SMC asked experts to comment.

Professor Jemma Geoghegan, Virologist, University of Otago, comments:

“The first detection of H5N1 in New Zealand is concerning, but it is not unexpected. Given the virus’ recent arrival in Australia and its continued global spread, we have been preparing for the likelihood that it would eventually reach Aotearoa.

“The advantage is that New Zealand is not facing this blindly. We can draw on several years of international experience, including the recent Australian response, to guide surveillance, wildlife monitoring and outbreak management.
“The priority now is to understand how widely the virus may be circulating and whether this is an isolated detection or evidence of broader spread. Rapid testing, genomic sequencing and close monitoring of wild birds will be essential.
“There is no reason for public panic, but people should avoid handling sick or dead birds and report unusual wildlife mortality. Early reporting will help us to respond quickly and reduce the risk to native wildlife and poultry.”

Conflict of interest statement: Prof. Geoghegan has declared she has no conflicts of interest.

Professor Dianne Brunton, School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, comments:

“It is clearly not a question of if H5N1 will arrive, but when it will establish.

“The detection of avian influenza H5N1 in an ocean-going seabird is evidence that New Zealand’s isolation will not keep out this deadly bird virus. While there is no suggestion of mass mortality in our wildlife or transmission between New Zealand birds, it is just a matter of time before H5N1 does establish.

“The response plans made by MPI, DoC, Ministry of Health and others are now critical. This bird was found in a populated area and we just don’t know how many birds may be out there with the virus in more remote areas, it is unlikely to be zero.”

Conflict of interest statement: “No conflicts of interest.”

Professor Brett Gartrell, Professor in Wildlife Health and Director of the Wildbase Research Centre at Massey University, comments:

“It was always going to be soon for New Zealand’s first case of bird flu. The good news is DOC have already mobilized their plans to protect our most threatened species. The big unknown for us is how vulnerable some of our endemic species will be to the virus.

“We need anyone seeing sick birds to report them to MPI as soon as possible. This will give us our best chance to respond to the virus. Wildlife hospitals and wildlife rehabilitation centers need to start triaging seabirds, waterfowl and raptors before bringing them in with other birds.”

Conflict of interest statement: “Wildbase carries out wildlife pathology services under contract to the Department of Conservation and supplies disease surveillance information to the Ministry of Primary Industries.”