Friday, July 3, 2026

Authorities to test dead Giant Petrel for ‘bird flu’

Giant Petral bird flu
FILE PHOTO. Jerzy Strzelecki / Wikipedia.

A giant petrel found dead on Farewell Spit is being tested for H5 bird flu, although officials believe stormy winter conditions are the more likely cause of death.

MPI says New Zealand has not recorded H5 bird flu and the risk of infected migratory birds reaching the country remains low, despite several detections in seabirds in Australia.

DOC said giant petrels are common visitors to Onetahua Farewell Spit, and recent reports of sick or dead wildlife in New Zealand have so far all “tested negative”.

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3 COMMENTS

  1. Testing NEGATIVE!
    We need to test authorities for thejr bird-brain Psitrel disease of giant effluent and Spit them Farewell.

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