Third case of H5 bird flu found in Wellington region
A third case of H5 bird flu has been confirmed in a northern giant petrel found in the Wairarapa region of New Zealand. Authorities emphasize that there is no risk to the food supply and that the detection is limited to wild seabirds.
Why it matters
Monitoring avian influenza is crucial for public health and agricultural safety, as it helps prevent potential cross-species transmission.
A third case of H5 bird flu has been detected in a northern giant petrel, in the Wairarapa.
Ministry for Primary Industries says it was found dead on a remote Cape Palliser beach.
It follows cases found in a kāhu, or swamp harrier, and a brown skua.
It was found by a Department of Conservation (DOC) ranger, who notified the MPI hotline.
Samples received by the MPI Animal Health Laboratory on 14 August were tested and initially found low levels of influenza virus in the bird. It took several rounds of testing to confirm bird flu.
MPI chief veterinary officer Mary van Andel said this latest case had not come as a shock.
"Although it's disappointing to find one of these infected birds, it's really not surprising.
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