Grassroots organisations at bird flu's ground zero have been mobilising in the 24 hours since its confirmation.New Zealand has recorded its first case of the deadly virus, found in a seabird on Wellington's Petone Beach on Wednesday.The finding is too close for comfort for Korokoro-based charity Flock Birdcare, which has ramped up screening and biosecurity.Director Nyssa Skorji said the infected brown skua was found only a couple of kilometres away from the bird hospital."[It's] so close. It actually made me a little bit nervous. I feel actually quite fortunate that the case didn't ... come through us."She said it was a tough decision but the bird hospital could no longer take in sick or injured seabirds."We won't be able to accept any seabirds. I know that this leaves a gap in coverage here in Wellington unfortunately for those birds, but just so we can stay open for our natives - for the tuis, the kererū and moreporks."I'm feeling a little bit apprehensive and I'm worried about all the birds that potentially will fall through the cracks and won't get treatment because of places shutting for bird flu."Unfortunately that's just going to have to be part of it if we want to stay open for other species."Skorji said an extra checkpoint to screen sick birds had been set up the entrance to the hospital, as well as a separate quarantine section."If we need we can put them up in our isolated quarantine area, which is lucky for us in a completely separate building."Skorji urged the public to be extra vigilant, in particular around birds that frequently interacted with humans, such as ducks."If they do see a seabird that looks like it's in distress [they should] - as hard as it might be - leave the bird and contact somebody professional in the industry who can give you advice on how to proceed."She said people could get advice from organisations such as Flock Birdcare, the Department of Conservation or the Ministry for Primary Industries' [MPI] hotline 0800 80 99 66.People should keep their eyes peeled for birds with obvious neurological issues and birds that were lethargic or had watering eyes or noses, she said.Infected bird put downMPI chief veterinary officer Mary van Andel addresses media on Petone beach.RNZ/Baz MacdonaldAt a press conference on Petone Beach on Wednesday, MPI chief veterinary officer Mary van Andel said the number of confirmed bird flu cases remained at one and the infected brown skua was dead."So the bird has been euthanised and this is on the policy of Wellington Zoo, so not on a decision by the ministry ... and that's to protect the other animals at the zoo."She urged dog walkers and all pet owners to keep their animals away from wild species, living or dead."Any mammal that eats sick or dead wildlife that are infected can become infected."Van Andel said the reporting hotline had received about 50 calls so far. She encouraged the public to focus on reporting three or more sick or dead birds.Lorraine Shaab joins the search for dead seabirds on Petone beach.RNZ / Baz MacdonaldEarlier at the beach, Lorraine Shaab, who runs regular beach clean-ups, searched for dead birds.She said it was inevitable but heartbreaking to know the virus had landed in New Zealand, and the volunteers would be taking extra precautions during clean-ups."Definitely we're going to have to be more cautious, more aware, but we are always kind of looking for unusual events or that out and about."What to do if you see sick birdsThe government's advice is that if you see three or more sick or dead wild birds in a group, report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66 from anywhere in New Zealand.Don't handle or move the birds. Go to www.mpi.govt.nz/bird-flu to find out more.Provide as much detail as you can, including:Common name or species of sick or dead bird if knownHow many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number of birds presentA GPS reading or other precise location informationPhotographs and videos of sick and dead birdsMore information about H5 bird flu and the work New Zealand is doing to prepare is available here.