Outbreak kills 1000 water birds at Canterbury wastewater plantsMICHAEL BATE/SUPPLIED The disease is thought to have spread down the country from the North Island. Nearly 1000 birds have died at wastewater treatment plants in Canterbury after an outbreak of botulism. MICHAEL BATE/SUPPLIED Hundreds of waterfowl have been found dead at a treatment plant in Kaiapoi after an outbreak of avian botulism. Cleary said the Kaiapoi outbreak first occurred in late January, with botulism found in the plant's six oxidation and wetland ponds. That is the biggest risk, so removing birds is the best practice.

Source: Stuff February 25, 2018 06:11 UTC