Sign In / Register
With the changing of seasons, the rise in people falling sick is par for the course, but Auckland Council is warning it might not be sickness as usual.
While there has not been a case of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Aotearoa, Council’s environmental services general manager Samantha Hill said it was likely to reach New Zealand because it was spreading in locations where migratory birds visit. Council has undertaken health and safety planning to prepare for the arrival of HPAI, and has distributed personal protective gear (PPE) to key sites.
“That PPE has also been placed on islands including Waiheke and Aotea to ensure that our kaimahi there have access to the gear when they need it. It will be impossible to eradicate once it arrives but we can reduce the impact by being prepared,” Hill said.
Councillor Wayne Walker raised concerns about the lack of information around the vectors for spread that was available to the public.
“It is really important to be upfront and advise people. We do know that if you get it, there’s a high chance you are going to die – this is hugely significant and there is virtually no publicity about this anywhere,” Walker said.
Hill said the disease can affect some mammal species including humans but human infection has been rare and generally only in people who have high levels of contact with infected birds. She said there was a lot they didn’t know about HPAI because it hadn’t reached New Zealand yet, so it was unclear how it would move through avian species or humans.
The national response would be led by the Ministry for Primary Industries but Hill says Council would play a regional role, particularly in managing sick and dead birds in public spaces. Council is asking the public to report sightings of an unusual number of dead or sick birds (three or more) to Biosecurity New Zealand’s hotline, and warns public not to handle the birds.
To report groups of three or more sick or dead birds call 0800 809 966
