New Zealand researchers combat bird flu misinformation as H5N1 detected in wildlife

New Zealand researchers report that social media users are spreading false claims dismissing bird flu as a hoax, despite three confirmed detections of the deadly H5N1 strain in the country's wildlife. Disinformation researcher Dr Sanjana Hattotuwa tracked thousands of comments framing the outbreak as a sequel to Covid-19, with users calling it a "plandemic" and dismissing official responses as staged theatre. Conspiracy theory researcher M Dentith noted some see it as an "evil plot" by authorities. Officials urge reporting sick or dead birds, while conservation groups vaccinate endangered species. Experts say New Zealand's successful Covid-19 containment may fuel scepticism, recommending shared values over fact-based arguments to counter false narratives.