The Threat of Bird Flu w/ Dr. Dianne Brunton: 8 July 2026

Last month, the H5N1 strain of bird flu reached Australia. The government has now confirmed seven cases of the deadly disease, which mainly affects birds, but can jump to mammals too. Experts here in New Zealand now believe that the arrival of the deadly virus on our shores is now a matter of “when” rather than “if.” Our goal should be to prepare the best that we can for the inevitable introduction, which poses a threat to native wildlife and livestock alike. To discuss the threats posed by the H5N1 strain of bird flu, producer Toby spoke to Dr. Dianne Brunton, an expert in ecology at the University of Auckland.