High Pathogen Avian Influenza (HPAI) is a severe strain of bird flu that poses risks to native birds (taonga species), poultry, and potentially human health.
Visit the Ministry of Primary Industries website for updates and information on the response.
What you can do
Check for signs of sick or dead birds. Symptoms include:
- a lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles.
- twisted neck or other abnormal posture.
- inability to stand or fly.
- diarrhoea.
- difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing.
- swelling around the head, neck and eyes.
- cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes.
Visit the Department Of Conservation’s website for more information on how to spot bird flu symptoms.
Avoid contact with dead birds or birds that appear unwell.
Report unusual bird deaths [three or more in one area] to the MPI hotline at 0800 80 99 66.
If we all contribute to keeping an eye out and reporting any sighting early, it gives us the best chance to manage HPAI more collaboratively and effectively.