False bird flu hoax claims spread online in New Zealand
Thursday 3 September 2026 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Department of Conservation, Ministry for Primary Industries
Social media users are sharing false narratives claiming bird flu is a hoax following three detections of the virus. While biosecurity groups work to protect wildlife, the Ministry for Primary Industries is urging the public to report sightings of three or more sick or dead wild birds.
