​ ​ ​ ​ ​

Alert

Questions about your rates?

Rates invoices for the 2026-27 year are now being sent out to property owners. If you have questions about your rates, all the information you need can be found here.

Contact

Search

Bird Flu

Environment Southland is preparing for the arrival of bird flu

H5N1 bird flu is a seasonal, contagious virus that primarily affects wild and domestic birds, but can affect marine mammals, companion animals and livestock.

H5 bird flu has been detected in individual wild birds in the Wellington region. There are currently no confirmed cases in Southland or elsewhere in the South Island, and the current H5 bird flu risk level for all areas of New Zealand is low.

If you spot three or more sick or dead wild birds found together:

  • Report sightings
  • Provide as much detail as possible
  • Do NOT handle or move the birds

Call MPI’s exotic pest and disease hotline 0800 809 966

Bird Flu – What you need to know

Environment Southland is preparing for bird flu.

Key facts:

  • Bird flu is a highly contagious viral disease. It mostly affects domestic and wild birds.
  • Bird flu has been confirmed in New Zealand. We are monitoring the situation and following the lead of Ministry for Primary Industries/Biosecurity New Zealand.
  • The risk to human health is considered low. In countries where the current H5N1 strain of bird flu is present human infection has generally only occurred in people who have had a lot of contact with infected birds or other infected animals.

Understanding bird flu

Bird flu (also called avian influenza or HPAI) is a virus that mostly affects birds. It spreads easily between birds, especially those that gather in groups. Overseas, it has caused serious outbreaks in wild bird populations, and Heard Island, off the coast of Australia, has been affected by an outbreak in a sea lion colony.

What you should do if you find sick or dead wild birds

  • Keep your distance. Do not touch sick or dead wild birds.
  • Keep children, pets and livestock away.
  • Keep clean. Wash your hands and clean footwear and equipment after being in areas where wild birds gather.
  • Know when to report. Report three or more sick or dead wild birds found together to MPI on 0800 80 99 66 or through the MPI online reporting form.
  • Take photographs only from a safe distance.

When reporting birds, provide the location, the number and type of birds, and photographs or video if you can do so safely. MPI prioritises reports based on factors including the number and species of birds and where they are found.

If you find one or two dead wild birds

You do not usually need to report one or two dead wild birds to MPI.

Leaving the bird where it is is normally the safest option. A dead bird will break down naturally, and leaving it alone reduces unnecessary handling and the risk of spreading disease. Keep children, pets and livestock away.

Only consider moving a dead bird if leaving it in place is likely to create a greater problem, such as where people or animals may touch it, or where it is in or near drinking water, stock feed or another sensitive area.

If you cannot leave the bird where it is

At the current low risk level, there are two disposal options.

Option 1: Bury it on the property

Burial must be on the same property where the bird was found.

For one bird, the burial site must be at least 20 metres from:

  • surface water, including streams, drains, wetlands, lakes and rivers
  • an authorised bore or water take
  • a house or place where people gather
  • every property boundary.

Choose dry ground away from places where water pools or flows. If you cannot meet all these distances, do not bury the bird.

For more than one bird, larger separation distances and additional requirements apply. Contact Environment Southland on 0800 76 88 45 before digging if you are unsure.

Option 2: Use your rubbish bin

While Southland remains at the low risk level, if you cannot safely leave or bury the bird, use a shovel to place it in two securely closed bags and put it in your red-lid rubbish bin.

This advice will change if Southland moves to medium or high risk. At those levels, dead wild birds must not be placed in household rubbish bins. Check this page for the current risk level before disposing of a bird.

Do not

  • burn dead birds
  • put them in compost
  • add lime to a burial
  • move them to another property
  • bury them in plastic bags.

Frequently Asked Questions

Bird flu spreads when birds and other animals come into direct contact with infected birds, or through contaminated environments like water, mud, and droppings.

The virus mainly affects:

  • Wild birds like ducks, swans, geese, seagulls, and hawks
  • Domestic poultry like chickens and turkeys
  • Some wild mammals, including native sea mammals such as sea lions

Yes. Bird flu virus is killed by normal cooking temperatures. If you cook poultry and eggs properly, they are safe to eat.

Pet birds indoors are at very low risk. Keep them inside and away from wild birds to be safe. If you have birds in outdoor aviaries, keep wild birds away from their food and water.

If your pet has touched or eaten a sick or dead bird, call your veterinarian before taking the animal to the clinic. Your vet will tell you what to do and how to bring the animal in safely if an appointment is needed.

The risk to people is very low. Human cases overseas have been rare and mainly occurred in people who handled infected birds closely for a long time. If you avoid contact with sick or dead birds, your risk is extremely low.

MPI is the lead agency for the national H5 bird flu response.

At the regional council level, Environment Southland's role is to facilitate coordination and information flow across Southland — between central government, district councils, iwi, and key stakeholders — provide consistent advice to landowners and the community and manage response on regional council-owned or managed land, including monitoring and mitigating any adverse effects on natural resources under our RMA responsibilities.

Environment Southland has a preparedness plan which will activate if a case is detected in the region. The plan also supports councils across the region to prepare for and respond to occurrences of H5 bird flu. It sets out the roles and responsibilities of the regional council and territorial local authorities, provides guidance on prioritising high-risk sites, outlines best-practice response measures, and supports effective communication and community engagement. The plan contributes to a coordinated national approach.

Where to find more information

Official information, guidance and updates - https://www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu

Wild birds and native wildlife - https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/wildlife-health/avian-influenza/

Egg and poultry farmers information - https://www.mpi.govt.nz/biosecurity/pest-and-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/animal-disease-threats-to-new-zealand/high-pathogenicity-avian-influenza/commercial-poultry-and-avian-influenza

Human health risk concerns contact your doctor of Healthline on 0800 611 116 - https://www.health.govt.nz/

Who to contact

  • Three or more sick or dead wild birds: MPI, 0800 80 99 66, or use the MPI online reporting form.
  • A native or protected bird: Department of Conservation, 0800 362 468.
  • Advice about whether you can bury a bird: Environment Southland, 0800 76 88 45 or your local council.
  • A pet exposed to a dead bird: your veterinarian.
  • Owned poultry that are sick or dying unexpectedly: your veterinarian and MPI, 0800 80 99 66.

For national information and the latest situation update, visit MPI’s H5 bird flu information.

Share this

Share this page

Sharing...