Newly arrived bird flu could wipe out NZ's endangered species, expert warns
New Zealand's chief veterinary officer warns that the H5N1 bird flu strain, recently detected in a seabird, will likely become endemic in the country. Experts fear the virus could threaten the survival of endangered native species.
Why it matters
The arrival of a highly pathogenic virus in an isolated ecosystem poses a significant threat to biodiversity and requires urgent biosecurity and conservation responses.
The newly arrived strain of H5N1 bird flu is likely to become endemic in New Zealand and could happen within a matter of months, MPI's chief veterinary officer says.
A seabird found on Wellington's Petone beach has tested positive for the potentially deadly H5 strain of the virus.
It's the first case recorded in New Zealand, following a global outbreak.
Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said New Zealand was well prepared to respond, and government agencies had been working with industry and councils to protect poultry production, wildlife and communities.
MPI's chief veterinary officer Mary van Andel told Morning Report , it wasn't a disease that could be eradicated in New Zealand if it established in our wildlife.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in