New Zealand Confirms First H5N1 Bird Flu Case in Native Bird
Health officials said the case follows a prior detection in a migratory seabird and comes as 300 endangered birds are being vaccinated.
- New Zealand detected on Friday the first infection of a native bird by H5N1, identifying the virus in a swamp harrier hawk found in the North Island's Wairarapa region.
- The country's first confirmed H5N1 detection occurred on Wednesday in a brown skua near Wellington; all previous cases had involved migratory birds.
- Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the infection is "not unexpected following the confirmation earlier this week of our first case." Hawks contract H5N1 by "hunting, eating, or scavenging infected birds."
- Health officials launched a vaccination program for 300 core breeding birds from five endangered species, while there has been no detection of H5N1 in poultry.
- Australia reported its first case of the disease in a local seabird earlier this month, underscoring the virus's spread across the region.
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New Zealand confirms first H5N1 bird flu case in native bird
New Zealand Detects Second H5N1 Bird Flu Case in Native Hawk
New Zealand has reported its second case of H5N1 bird flu found in a native hawk. The discovery follows the first confirmed case earlier this week. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard expressed concern but noted the development was expected in light of the recent detection.
Native bird tests positive for bird flu - Expert Reaction - Science Media Centre
The kāhu (swamp harrier hawk) – found in the Wairarapa – is the second case of bird flu in NZ and the first in a native bird. The first case, detected in a seabird, was announced on Wednesday. The SMC asked experts to comment. Previous comments on bird flu are available here. Professor Jemma Geoghegan, Virologist, University of Otago, comments: “The detection of H5N1 in a second solitary scavenger is notable because birds such as kāhu may help …
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