New Zealand reports first case of deadly H5N1 bird flu virus in sea bird

New Zealand reported its first H5N1 bird flu case in a brown skua seabird near Wellington.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard announced no evidence of mass wildlife mortality or transmission between wild birds.

No detection in poultry; New Zealand has been preparing with the poultry industry on biosecurity.

Vaccination program launched for 300 core breeding birds from five most endangered species.

The H5 strain has spread globally since 2021, killing millions and infecting poultry, dairy farms, and some farmworkers.