Kiwis asked to keep an eye out as new bird flu strain lands in NZ
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No surprises bird flu has reached our shores, as New Zealanders are asked to keep an eye out for transmission escalation.
A sub-Antarctic seabird found on Wellington's Petone Beach last week has tested positive for the H5N1 strain.
Officials say symptoms to look out for in birds include paralysis, shaking, respiratory issues, or diarrhoea.
Otago University evolutionary virologist Jemma Geoghegan told Ryan Bridge there's no evidence of widespread transmission yet.
She says once it starts spreading between birds on the mainland, that's when there's a risk the virus could get into poultry sheds and concerns would grow.
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