Forum calls for better bird flu info

The Hauraki Gulf Forum wants the government to share more information about the threat of bird flu this summer. Last year, the highly transmissible variant H5N1 was identified in the southern hemisphere. Cr Wayne Walker asked how prepared the gulf was if bird flu arrived in New Zealand.

He was particularly concerned for seabirds. Biosecurity readiness and response services director John Walsh said avian bird flu was expected to turn up this summer. “We have a vaccination strategy for our high-risk native populations if it gets here,” Walsh said, but noted it would not be effective for wild birds.



Waiheke Local Board member Bianca Ranson said the issue around vaccination was that two shots were required, making it particularly difficult for wild birds. “There is about an 80 per cent death rate for bird colonies,” Ranson said. Department of Conservation’s regional director of operations Alex Rogers said if members of the public found three or more birds that were sick or dead, they shouldn’t touch them.

He said there were beaches full of dead seals in South America after they contracted avian flu. The public can contact Biosecurity New Zealand’s 24/7 hotline 0800 80 99 66 to report dead or sick birds. Callers will be asked to provide as much detail as possible, including the precise location, pictures, species and number of birds impacted.

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