Small trial on native birds is part of preparations for arrival of deadly strain of H5N1 avian flu, which has not yet been reported in New Zealand
New Zealand’s kakī is part of a trial to vaccinate native birds against the H5N1 avian flu strain.New Zealand’s kakī is part of a trial to vaccinate native birds against the H5N1 avian flu strain.. They are unique and idiosyncratic, both beloved and annoying, with many endangered as well, but New Zealand’s native birds are now under threat from a new enemy: a highly evolved strain of deadly bird flu.
New Zealand has a greater diversity of seabirds than anywhere in the world, and dozens of endemic species. About 80% of its native birds are endangered, including several species of seabirds such as the black-billed and red-billed gull,Biosecurity minister Andrew Hoggard said protecting vulnerable native birds was a priority as the flu could have a severe impact on already depleted species.
“In the past we used to think it would come in from the north from migratory birds, but this strain of it has developed an affinity for making seabirds really sick so it’s been able to leapfrog from South America to the Antarctic,” said Gartrell. Seabirds regularly fly vast distances across the Southern Ocean.DOC veterinarian Kate McInnes is leading the vaccination trial.
Not all wild birds can be vaccinated as they have to be caught three times – for two doses of the vaccine one month apart, and again for blood testing. The 50 birds that have been vaccinated are part of DOC’s breeding populations and have been immunised in captivity.“We’re working on a response that’s looking at which species would go extinct if there was an outbreak and for these species we can intervene,” said McInnes.
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