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Bird flu
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ORC is preparing for the arrival of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza H5N1 (HPAI or bird flu) in Otago
HPAI is a viral disease that primarily affects birds, but can affect marine mammals, companion animals and livestock.
If you spot three or more sick or dead wild birds, fur seals or seal lions in a group:
- Report sightings
- Provide as much detail as possible
- Do NOT handle or move the birds
Exotic pest and disease hotline
0800 809 966
Otago Regional Council is preparing for bird flu arriving in Otago.
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a viral disease that affects wild and domestic birds. This page explains what you need to know and what to do if you spot a sick bird.
Key facts:
- Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease. It mostly affects domestic and wild birds.
- As of 15 July 2026, one case of bird flu has been detected in New Zealand. It is also in Australia. We are monitoring the situation and following the lead of Biosecurity New Zealand (Ministry for Primary Industries).
- The risk to human health is considered low. In countries where the current H5N1 strain of bird flu is present human infection has generally only occurred in people who have had a lot of contact with infected birds or other infected animals.
- ORC is preparing alongside national agencies as part of a One Health response. We will keep our community informed as the situation develops.
- If you see three or more dead or sick birds in one place, do not touch them. Report immediately to MPI's Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline: 0800 80 99 66.
What to do if you find three or more sick or dead wild birds, fur seals or seal lions:
Don't touch them.
Follow these three simple steps:
- Keep yourself, children, and pets away
- Do not touch the wildlife or the area around them
- Observe from a safe distance (at least a few metres away)
- Don't let pets investigate or play with the wildlife
- Note where you saw them (park name, street address, GPS coordinates or landmark)
- Write down the date and time
- Write down how many birds/wildlife you saw
- Describe the type of bird/wildlife if you can (colour, size)
- Take photos from a distance if you can do so safely
Call the MPI Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline: 0800 80 99 66 24, 7 days a week
Or report online at: https://report.mpi.govt.nz/pest/
Tell them:
- What you saw and where
- How many birds/wildlife
- When you saw them
An MPI investigator will follow up.
Key health advice
- The overall public health risk of H5N1 to human health remains low
- There are currently no confirmed human cases of H5N1 in New Zealand
- Infection in humans generally requires close contact with infected birds or other infected animals
- H5N1 bird flu is very unlikely to transmit from human to human.
- However, viruses can change over time, so it’s important that we remain vigilant
- H5N1 bird flu is not a food safety concern.
- Avian influenza viruses are sensitive to heat treatment so chicken, other poultry (like turkey or duck), and eggs remain safe to eat when handled and cooked correctly
- Vaccination against avian influenza is not available in New Zealand.
- However, people who work with livestock, poultry, or with animals in a vet or zoo are recommended to have a seasonal flu vaccination. Although this does not protect specifically against avian influenza, it reduces the risk of dual infection with both avian and human influenza and these two viruses combining to form a new and more highly infectious virus.
Information if you're concerned about human health risks: www.health.govt.nz
If you have specific health questions, contact your doctor or Healthline 0800 611 116
Official updates and guidance
For information about preparedness, reporting sightings, protecting your birds contact Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI). Exotic Pest and Disease Hotline: 0800 80 99 66
Wild Birds and Native Wildlife
Get information about bird flu's impact on native species and wildlife monitoring from Department of Conservation (DOC)
Egg and poultry farmers
For information to help egg and poultry farmers MPI has specific information available.
Human Health
For information for people concerned about human health risks contact the Ministry of Health. Contact your doctor or Healthline 0800 611 116 with health questions.
Local closures and updates
Contact your local council to access information about local parks, closures, signage, local updates. Dunedin City Council, Central Otago District Council, Clutha District Council, Queenstown-Lakes District Council, Waitaki District Council
Bird flu (also called avian influenza or HPAI) is a virus that affects birds. It spreads easily between birds, especially those that gather in groups. Overseas, it has caused serious outbreaks in wild bird populations, and Heard Island, off the coast of Australia, has been affected by an outbreak in a sea lion colony.
The H5N1 strain spreading globally is the most serious type. It has infected birds across Europe, Asia, the Americas, and even Antarctica.
Bird flu spreads when birds and other animals come into direct contact with infected birds, or through contaminated environments like water, mud, and droppings.
The virus mainly affects:
- Wild birds like ducks, swans, geese, seagulls, and hawks
- Domestic poultry like chickens and turkeys
- Some wild mammals, including native sea mammals such as sea lions
Yes. Bird flu virus is killed by normal cooking temperatures. If you cook poultry and eggs properly, they are safe to eat.
Pet birds indoors are at very low risk. Keep them inside and away from wild birds to be safe. If you have birds in outdoor aviaries, keep wild birds away from their food and water.
The risk to people is very low. Human cases overseas have been rare and mainly occurred in people who handled infected birds closely for a long time. If you avoid contact with sick or dead birds, your risk is extremely low.
