Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) - Zealandia Risk Assessment
Background
Avian influenza (AI) is primarily disease of poultry, waterfowl and migratory birds caused by Type “A” influenza
viruses, which can infect several species of domestic poultry, including chickens, turkeys, quail, guinea fowl and
ducks, as well as caged and wild birds. AI viruses have also been isolated, although less frequently, from
mammalian species, including rats, mice, weasels, ferrets, pigs, cats, tigers, dogs and horses, as well as from
humans. There are many AI virus strains, which are usual y classified into two categories according to the severity
of the disease in poultry: low pathogenic (LPAI) strains, which typical y cause few or no clinical signs in poultry, and
highly pathogenic (HPAI) strains, which can cause severe clinical signs and potential y high mortality rates among
poultry.
Avian influenza is mainly spread by close contact between infected birds and healthy birds. In birds, avian influenza
viruses are shed in the faeces and respiratory secretions. They can al be spread through direct contact with
secretions from infected birds, especial y through faeces or through contaminated feed and water. Because of the
resistant nature of avian influenza viruses, including their ability to survive for long periods when temperatures are
low, they can also be carried on farm equipment and spread easily from farm to farm.
An outbreak of avian influenza (H5N1) began in 2022 and has affected domestic poultry, waterfowl, raptors,
shorebirds, other species of birds, and some mammals. Because the strain causes heavy poultry losses, it is called
highly pathogenic.
The most obvious sign of HPAI is sudden death in several birds. Other signs of HPAI vary but indicators include
tremors, weakness, paralysis, lack of coordination, blindness, difficulty breathing and diarrhoea.
HPAI in Aotearoa New Zealand
As of August 2024, H5N1 has not yet been detected in New Zealand; however, it has been found in the sub-
Antarctic's as wel as part of Antarctica, so it wil almost certainly spread to New Zealand at some stage. MPI has
been working with DOC and other organisations to monitor and prepare a coordinated response if and when it
makes its way here. If HPAI is detected in New Zealand, Biosecurity New Zealand is the lead agency and would
coordinate any response with support from DOC and the Ministry of Health.
If/when HPAI is detected, it is likely that DOC will issue guidelines around permitted activities with wild birds, with
a possible immediate cessation of banding for a period of time.
Use of HPAI vaccines in New Zealand is prohibited. However, the Ministry for Primary Industries has granted
approval for DOC to use this vaccine in a controlled trial to test its safety and efficacy in a select number of
endangered native birds, including takahē and red-crowned kākāriki (as a surrogate for kākāriki karaka).
HPAI risks to Zealandia
While not nil, the risk to both wildlife and people at Zealandia is at this stage deemed relatively low. HPAI abroad
primarily has affected poultry, waterfowl and seabirds, particularly those that form colonies or aggregate in large
numbers. Some passerines and psittacines (parrots and parakeets) have been detected or affected elsewhere, but
both are still relatively low risk species. Previous studies have found that songbirds (passerines) are much less likely
than waterfowl to contract avian influenza and less likely to shed large amounts of virus, meaning they do not
transmit the disease easily. High risk species at Zealandia wil include pāteke, pūtangitangi, mal ards, al
shag/kāruhiruhi species and gulls.
Conversations with DOC staff working in this space indicate that guidelines around specific activities (e.g. banding)
will likely come out as soon as HPAI has been detected in New Zealand. These guidelines will likely vary by species
group.
Detection and reporting
It is vital to ensure that all Duty Operations staff are aware of signs and symptoms of HPAI, so that they can both
protect themselves and report any potential cases to MPI.
Current instructions around reporting are as follows:
If you see 3 or more sick or dead birds in a group, report it immediately to Biosecurity New Zealand's Exotic Pest
and Disease Hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Do not handle the birds.
Provide as much detail to Biosecurity New Zealand as you can, including:
• a GPS reading or other precise location information,
• photographs and/or videos of sick and dead birds,
• species identity and estimate of numbers affected,
• note how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number present.
Biosecurity New Zealand will take details and an incursion investigator will be in contact with you. Follow
Biosecurity New Zealand's instructions for handling of sick or dead birds.
Handling high-risk species
If you need to handle high risk species at Zealandia for any reason (e.g. kāruhiruhi/mal ards) eg as duty ops
responding to an injured animal, please ensure you are wearing full PPE including overal s, gloves, eye protection,
and wash your hands and sanitise them after handling. Overalls must be immediately washed with a disinfectant
(Sterigene) after use.
The Nest Te Kōhanga at Wel ington Zoo has implemented their own procedures around HPAI, which include calling
ahead of time on
04 803 0764 to alert the vet team that you’re bringing an injured individual to them, especial y to
alert the team if you are bringing in a high-risk species (pāteke, pūtangitangi, mal ards, al shag/kāruhiruhi species
and gulls).
They ask for all wildlife via the Newtown Play Park Entrance at the North-West of Wel ington Zoo instead of the
Main Entrance. Call the clinic phone again upon arrival, and a member of the team will come to the gate and
receive the carry box at the boundary of the Zoo. TNTK will triage any “high risk” species in a separate, dedicated
Admissions Ward with PPE. They will not reuse cardboard carry boxes but will thoroughly disinfect plastic crates
and Corflute boxes and arrange to send them back at a later date.
Once HPAI is in the country, detection and reporting will still be important, however more measures will need to
be put in place for the safety of wildlife and people. Risks and potential mitigation measures are summarised
below.
HPAI risks to wildlife at Zealandia
Activity
Risk(s)
Species affected
Likelihood Potential mitigation
Likelihood of
of risk
risk after
mitigation
Handling – as Spread through
Kākā
Low
Extra disinfection of
Low
part of
human contact,
Hihi
banding gear in
monitoring/b banding or
Titipounamu?
between birds
anding
handling materials Kiwi
(e.g. pliers, bird
Takahē
Extra disinfection of
bags or towels)
hands in between
handling birds (that
are not from same
nest) thorough hand
washing with
‘abundant soap and
water.’ Hand sanitiser
can be applied to
reinforce but should
not replace proper
handwashing.
*Potential cessation
of banding as per
DOC guidelines
Handling –
Spread through
- Passerines
Low
Thorough hand
Low
assessing
human contact, or (multiple species)
washing prior to and
injured
handling materials Psittacines (kākā
after handling.
animal or
and kākāriki)
Discard travel boxes
taking it to
Takahē
or sterigene after use.
TNTK
Kiwi
Sterigene towels and
Kererū
other capture gear.
Waterfowl (pāteke,
mallards,
*Will likely get advice
pūtangitangi)
for specific species
Seabirds
from DOC, e.g.
(kāruhiruhi, gulls)
takahē, kiwi
Feeders -
Spread through
Kākā
Medium
Extra disinfection of
Low
kākā
congregation of
Sparrows
feeders (e.g. weekly
depending
multiple bird
Blackbirds
deep clean)
on mitigation
species, some of
Mallards
which are high risk Pāteke
Close down feeders
(kākā, sparrows,
blackbirds,
mallards, pāteke)
Feeders - hihi Spread through
Hihi
Low
Extra disinfection of
Low
congregation of
Korimako
feeders
multiple bird
species
Consider smaller
feeding stations and
having more of them
with increased
cleaning.
*Gain advice from
HRG re continuation
of feeding
HPAI risks to people at Zealandia
Activity
Risk(s)
Species affected Likelihood
Potential mitigation
Likelihood
of risk
of risk
after
mitigation
Handling – as
Spread
Kākā
Low
Increased PPE (eye
Low
part of
through
Hihi
protection, masks,
monitoring/ban
handling
Titipounamu?
increased disinfection of
ding
Kiwi
hands and clothing)
Takahē
Cessation of
monitoring/banding
activities
*Will likely get advice
from DOC/MPI
Handling –
Spread
- Passerines
Low-
Increased PPE (eye
Low
assessing injured through
(multiple
Moderate
protection, masks,
animal or taking handling
species)
depending
increased disinfection of
it to TNTK
Psittacines (kākā on species
hands and clothing)
and kākāriki)
Takahē
Cessation of handling
Kiwi
non terminal injured
Kererū
animals
Waterfowl
(pāteke,
*Will likely get advice
mallards,
from DOC/MPI
pūtangitangi)
Seabirds
(kāruhiruhi,
gulls)
Handling – dead Spread
- Passerines
Low-
Increased PPE (eye
Low
animal
through
(multiple
Moderate
protection, masks,
handling
species)
depending
increased disinfection of
Psittacines (kākā on species
hands and clothing)
and kākāriki)
Takahē
Cessation of handling
Kiwi
dead animals
Kererū
Waterfowl
*Will likely get advice
(pāteke,
from DOC/MPI
mallards,
pūtangitangi)
Seabirds
(kāruhiruhi,
gulls)
Feeders - kākā
Spread
Low
Ensure all staff and
Low
through
volunteers engaging in
improper hand
these activities maintain
disinfection
high levels of personal
after
hygiene and disinfection
feeding/cleani
ng
Close down feeders
Feeders - hihi
Spread
Low
Ensure all staff and
Low
through
volunteers engaging in
improper hand
these activities maintain
disinfection
high levels of personal
after
hygiene and disinfection
feeding/cleani
ng
Close down feeders on
HRG advice
Nest box
Spread
Kākā
Low
Ensure all staff and
Low
provision –
through
Kākāriki
volunteers maintain high
monitoring
improper hand Titipounamu
levels of personal
disinfection
Hihi
hygiene and disinfection
during/after
both DURING and AFTER
monitoring
monitoring activities.
Only essential
monitoring to occur –
most to cease.
Nest box
Spread during
Kākā
Likely low
Ensure all staff and
Low
provision -
or after the
Kākāriki
volunteers maintain high
cleaning
cleaning
Titipounamu
levels of personal
process
Hihi
hygiene and disinfection
both DURING and AFTER
monitoring activities
Provide PPE (eye
protection, masks) to
staff and volunteers
cleaning more messy
nest boxes (kākā,
kākāriki). Leave to end of
season.
