On the coast of New Zealand, near Wellington, the H5N1 bird flu virus was detected in a brown skua. This is the first recorded case of the strain in a migratory seabird in the country, reports infohub.kz, citing Reuters.
Although the test came back positive, there are no signs of mass bird deaths or transmission between wild and domestic birds in New Zealand. As a precaution, authorities have launched a vaccination program for rare species: 300 birds from five of the most vulnerable species living in the country will receive vaccines.
Last month, the deadly bird flu strain was detected in Australia. Preliminary data shows 14 confirmed cases there.