Pacific governments have asked New Zealand for advice on handling the H5 avian influenza, or bird flu, according to the Ministry of Primary and Industries.
An adviser on seabirds in New Zealand said Pacific countries and territories should prepare for H5 bird flu.
The avian influenza has now been detected in both Australia and New Zealand.
The Australian government reports 205 confirmed events of H5 bird flu in wild birds. The risk to human health remains low.
In New Zealand, the native bird found to be infected with the deadly H5 bird flu in Wairarapa was actually the country’s first case of the virus, not the second, RNZ revealed.
The co-chairperson of the Northern New Zealand Seabird Trust, Karen Baird, has worked as a threatened migratory species adviser for the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme – SPREP.
She said it’s difficult to predict when H5 bird flu will arrive in Pacific island countries.
“But obviously now it’s in Australia and New Zealand, the chances of it actually getting to the Pacific are much greater. Some of the seabirds that have brought the virus to New Zealand and Australia, do range up to into the Pacific to some extent.”
Baird said the biggest threat for the Pacific is its wildlife, especially in islands where some species are endemic and already under pressure.
“Those small populations of endemic species that are highly threatened …if they got into those populations there is a potential for them to potentially wipe out some species which would be horrific.
So, yes, the potential impact for the Pacific is significant.”
MPI shares information with Pacific
The Ministry of Primary and Industries chief veterinary officer has confirmed information has been shared with six Pacific countries, following questions from RNZ Pacific.
Dr Mary van Andel said MPI, in coordination with MFAT and regional partners, has received requests for information and advice relating to preparedness, surveillance, testing arrangements, wildlife management, and outbreak response.
“New Zealand has proactively shared highly pathogenic avian influenza readiness information from its readiness activities with six Pacific partner countries as part of its broader support for animal health preparedness which is funded by MFAT.”
MPI said the information is being used to strengthen national planning and preparedness activities.
New Zealand has worked with regional organisations and partners to strengthen preparedness across the Pacific. This has included supporting regional training on HPAI in wildlife, developing and delivering simulation exercises in Fiji, and working with the Pacific Community (SPC) on wildlife-focused HPAI training and preparedness workshops in counties.
Pacific governments are actively monitoring the global and regional avian influenza situation, including developments in New Zealand and Australia, as part of their ongoing biosecurity and animal health preparedness activities.
Last month, the Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture said it is taking a precautionary approach by increasing public awareness.
The ministry confirmed there are no cases of H5N1 avian influenza in the Cook Islands and stated that the “risk remains low”.
