H5 bird flu in New Zealand

The story so far

H5N1 bird flu has been detected in wild birds in the Wellington region, with a northern giant petrel found dead on a remote Cape Palliser beach the third confirmed case, after a brown skua and a swamp harrier.^{21 Aug} The Department of Conservation is focusing its bird flu vaccination programme on up to 30 threatened species considered at high risk of extinction.^{16 Aug} Little penguins are not included in that programme, and the Kaikōura Wildlife Centre Trust has asked for a ministerial review of the decision.^{16 Aug} False claims that bird flu is a hoax have been spreading on social media following the three detections.^{3 Sep}

Latest

Social media users in New Zealand are sharing false narratives that bird flu is a hoax, while biosecurity groups work to protect wildlife.^{3 Sep} The Ministry for Primary Industries is urging the public to report sightings of three or more sick or dead wild birds.^{3 Sep}

Key moments

1. 16 AugKaikōura trust seeks ministerial review of decision to leave little penguins out of vaccinations.
2. 21 AugNorthern giant petrel at Cape Palliser becomes third H5N1 case in Wellington region.
3. 3 SepFalse hoax claims spread online; MPI asks public to report groups of sick or dead birds.

Written from the stories below; each sentence links to its sources.