All bird flu cases likely not detected yet, expert says
Virologists in New Zealand warn that the H5 bird flu strain is likely more widespread than current detections suggest. Authorities are conducting enhanced surveillance and testing birds reported by the public to monitor the virus's spread.
Why it matters
Public health monitoring of avian influenza is critical to preventing potential zoonotic transmission and protecting biodiversity.
<p>A virologist says it's likely not all cases of the bird flu H5 strain have been detected in New Zealand.</p> <p><b>By Sammy Carter and Pretoria Gordon of </b><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/environment/739918/all-bird-flu-cases-likely-not-detected-yet-expert-says" target="_blank"><b>RNZ</b></a></p> <p>A second case of the flu was found on Friday in a native kāhu, near Carteron in Wairarapa, and taken to Palmerston North Hospital.</p> <p>Otago University professor Jemma Geoghegan said the first two birds are both solitary scavengers, who likely caught the virus by eating infected dead birds.</p> <p>"It probably suggest that we haven't detected all the cases that are in New Zealand."</p> <p>The first confirmed case was a brown skua found on Petone Beach in Wellington, which has since been put down.</p> <p>Geoghegan said the source of the virus is likely closer than we might think.</p> <p>However, finding the source would be very difficult, Geoghegan said, as it could be remote.</p> <p>"It might be that we never know the…
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