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.

• Keep yourself, children, and pets away 
• Do not touch the birds 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 birds

• Note where you saw them (park name, street address, GPS coordinates or landmark) 
• Write down the date and time 
• Write down how many birds you saw 
• Describe the type of bird 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 
• When you saw them

An MPI investigator will follow up.