New Zealand confirms 2nd case of H5 bird flu in native bird

BAKU, Jul 17 (AZERTAC/APP):New Zealand has confirmed a second case of H5 avian influenza in a wild bird, prompting authorities to intensify surveillance and biosecurity measures, Xinhua reported.

The latest case involves a kahu found in the Wairarapa region on the North Island, following confirmation of the virus in a brown skua at Petone Beach in the capital Wellington earlier this week, Biosecurity and Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard said in a statement.

“Hawks can get bird flu by hunting, eating, or scavenging infected birds,” Hoggard was quoted as saying.

There is still no detection of the virus in poultry, he said, adding the finding was “not unexpected” and demonstrated the country’s bird flu “surveillance and testing program is working well.”

Response measures will include extra checking of birds at selected sites, targeted support for poultry and egg operations in Wellington and the Wairarapa region, and the establishment of a technical advisory group, Hoggard said.

The Department of Conservation has begun vaccinating 300 core breeding birds from five of New Zealand’s most endangered species, including kakapo and takahe, as part of preparedness efforts.

Chicken and eggs remain safe to eat and bird flu is a very low risk to human health, the minister said.

The public has been urged to report clusters of sick or dead wild birds and avoid touching or handling unwell birds as authorities prepare for further cases.

The Ministry for Primary Industries’ Chief Veterinary Officer Mary van Andel said on Thursday that H5 bird flu is likely to become endemic in New Zealand within months, and eradication would be unlikely if the virus establishes in wildlife.