Source: NZ Department of Conservation
Date: 20 August 2025
The H5N1 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has spread globally, causing severe impacts on wild and domestic birds as well as mammals such as seals and sea lions. However, it has not yet reached Oceania, including New Zealand, Australia and the Pacific Islands.
DOC is working with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), the Ministry of Health and Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora as part of a One Health approach to preparing for the possible arrival of H5N1 in New Zealand.
DOC carried out the intensive year-long trial on captive birds from five endangered species – kākāpō, takahē, kakī/black stilt, tūturuatu/shore plover and kākāriki/parakeet – to see if the bird flu vaccine would be an effective tool to help prevent species loss during a disease outbreak.
Up to 10 birds from each species were given two doses of the vaccine one month apart, followed by regular health assessments and blood tests to monitor their health and development of antibodies.
DOC Senior Science Advisor and wildlife vet, Kate McInnes, says the trial was a success and all the study birds responded well to the vaccine.
“We now know for at least five of our most critically endangered bird species the vaccine will work to protect them from the highly contagious H5N1 virus.
“We knew it had been successfully used in overseas zoos, but we didn’t know how effective it would be on New Zealand’s unique native birds which are found nowhere else in the world.”
While four of the species had a strong response over six months, in kakī antibody levels dropped at three months, showing the need for a different vaccine regime for this species.
If the H5N1 strain of bird flu arrives in New Zealand and spreads in wild birds, we won’t be able to eradicate it and management options will be limited, says Kate McInnes.
“We will do everything we can through strict biosecurity to prevent threatened birds in captive facilities and managed populations being exposed to the virus, but the vaccine will give us an extra layer of protection.
“It won’t be possible to vaccinate all our endangered birds, but we can focus on species in captivity where the full two doses of the vaccine can be given.”
The bird species in the trial are all critically endangered with populations just in the hundreds. Red-crowned kākāriki was used as a stand-in for the highly threatened orange-fronted kākāriki.
MPI approved the trial using Poulvac Flufend RG vaccine, which was carried out under strictly controlled conditions. The vaccine contains dead, low pathogenicity virus and cannot cause bird flu infection.
The research was led by DOC technical experts and involved assistance and support from iwi and hapū, captive facilities, international vets, specialist vet and diagnostic services PacificVet and BioPacifica Laboratories, and MPI.
It’s the first trial in the world to involve five species over a year and the internationally significant results will be published in a science paper. The research has been shared with Australian agencies to help with their vaccination planning and research.
DOC is working with MPI on a broader vaccination plan for the five species and potentially others that might also benefit from vaccination if H5N1 reaches Aotearoa.
Early detection of H5N1, if it arrives here, will be crucial. The public are asked to watch out for signs of bird flu and report groups of three or more sick or dead birds, marine mammals or other wildlife to the MPI exotic pest and disease hotline: 0800 80 99 66. Do not touch, handle or collect dead or dying birds to avoid spread of the virus and protect yourself.
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