Samoa’s Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries says it is closely monitoring the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in wild birds in New Zealand.
The Ministry said it is receiving regular updates from New Zealand’s Ministry for Primary Industries, the World Organisation for Animal Health and regional animal health partners.
At present, there is no evidence of H5N1 in Samoa and no reports of unusual illness or sudden deaths among domestic poultry or wild birds in the country.
The Ministry said the detections reported in New Zealand remain confined to wild birds, with no indication that the disease has spread to Samoa.
Samoa’s biosecurity surveillance, animal health monitoring and border control systems remain operational, according to the public notice.
The Ministry has also reviewed import requirements and border biosecurity measures for poultry and poultry products and says it is prepared to introduce additional risk management measures if the situation changes.
The precautionary work is intended to protect Samoa’s poultry industry, food security, public health and national biosecurity.
Poultry owners, farmers and members of the public are being asked to remain vigilant and report any unusual illness or sudden deaths involving chickens, ducks, pigeons or other birds.
The public is also advised not to handle sick or dead birds with bare hands and to follow good hygiene practices when handling poultry or poultry products.
The Ministry said it would continue monitoring developments through national, regional and international animal health networks and provide further updates if there were significant changes.
Suspected cases or unusual bird deaths can be reported to the Ministry’s Biosecurity Division on 20924 or 22171, or by email at [email protected].
Video – Learn more about bird flu (2.07)
This animated video explains how bird flu is spreading, symptoms to look out for, and biosecurity measures that people can take to be ready.
This video uses animated graphics to illustrate the words. The first scene shows four wobbly, sick-looking birds—a gull, goose, gannet and chicken—with spiky spheres representing virus particles floating in the air.
Narrator: “Bird flu is a serious virus that spreads easily between birds.”
Narrator: “The type of bird flu spreading overseas—HPAI H5N1—can infect many kinds of birds and travel long distances.”
A globe-shaped world map shows virus particles over the upper part of the world. The words “HPAI H5N1” appear on screen when the narrator says these words.
Narrator: “It’s already killed millions of birds overseas, including wild birds, poultry, and pet birds.”
The words “Bird flu has killed millions of birds overseas” appear on screen, along with “Wild birds”, “Poultry” and “Pet birds”. Circular portraits show a gannet, chicken and parrot. The circles expand slightly as each category is mentioned.
Narrator: “Here’s what to look out for—and how to be ready, just in case.”
A checklist appears with the heading “What to look for”.
The words “How the virus spreads” appear in an orange text box, accompanied by music.
Narrator: “Infected birds shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces.”
A wobbly gull is surrounded by virus particles. The words “saliva”, “nasal secretions” and “faeces” appear with dotted lines pointing to the relevant body parts.
Narrator: “Just one bird’s droppings can carry enough virus to infect thousands of others.”
The screen zooms out to show numerous identical gulls. An arrow points to the first gull’s dropping with the text “One dropping can infect thousands”.
Narrator: “Once it’s in a flock, it can spread fast—sometimes in just a few days.”
Six gulls surrounded by virus particles are shown. Two are lying upside down with their legs in the air and crosses for eyes to indicate that they are dead.
Narrator: “People can also spread the virus without knowing it—on their shoes, clothes, or shared gear.”
A person is shown from the neck down wearing a white T-shirt, black shorts and orange gumboots while holding a shovel. The words “shoes”, “clothes” and “shared gear” appear with dotted lines pointing to each item.
Narrator: “That’s why it’s important to clean up properly before and after handling birds.”
A split screen shows handwashing on the left and the bottom of boots being scrubbed on the right.
The words “Impact on wild birds” appear in an orange text box, accompanied by music.
Narrator: “We’re not sure how bird flu would affect our native birds.”
Leafy foliage appears in the foreground. A kiwi is shown at the bottom of the screen and a ruru, or morepork, sits on a branch at the upper right.
Narrator: “But birds that nest in large groups—like gulls, gannets, and terns—could be most at risk.”
A lineup shows a gull, gannet and tern with green foliage in the foreground. The words “Birds that nest in large groups could be most at risk” appear at the top. Each bird is labelled as it is named.
The words “Signs in birds” appear in an orange text box, accompanied by music.
Narrator: “One of the first signs is several birds dying suddenly, with no clear reason.”
Three gulls appear surrounded by virus particles. The gull in the middle looks sick and has its head down. The other two are upside down with crosses for eyes. The words “Several birds dying suddenly” appear at the top.
Narrator: “Other signs—especially in ducks and geese—include being sleepy, wobbly, or unable to fly.”
A wobbly goose is surrounded by virus particles. Labels identify the signs “Sleepy”, “Wobbly” and “Unable to fly”.
The words “Report it” appear in an orange text box, accompanied by music.
Narrator: “If you see three or more sick or dead wild birds together, call the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66. Don’t touch or move the birds.”
Two sick-looking gulls and one dead gull are surrounded by virus particles. A sign shows a hand with a diagonal line through it and the words “Don’t touch!”. The hotline number appears in an orange text box.
Narrator: “If you keep poultry and notice signs of bird flu in several birds, talk to your vet first. They’ll help rule out other more common illnesses and tell you what to do next.”
Three wobbly chickens appear surrounded by virus particles. The words “Talk to your vet” appear in an orange text box.
Narrator: “Want to know more about bird flu signs and how to report them? Visit the Ministry for Primary Industries’ website at www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu.”
Orange bird flu branding appears with the tagline “Bird Flu Be Ready”, the bird flu website address, and the Ministry for Primary Industries and New Zealand Government logos.
Video ends. End of transcript.
