Further research is needed to determine the cause of the avian diphtheria which has hit yellow-eyed penguin chicks on Otago Peninsula recently.

Five breeding sites have been affected by the outbreak, all at the southern end of the Otago Peninsula.

Wildlife vets from the New Zealand Wildlife Health Centre at Massey University today met Department of Conservation (DOC) staff, local vets, Yellow-eyed Penguin Trust members, and a scientist from Penguin Place to discuss the most recent disease outbreak.

David Agnew, DOC's Programme Manager Biodiversity Assets for Coastal Otago, said the meeting heard that much information about the disease had been collected by DOC, Massey University, the Trust, and Penguin Place since the first outbreak in 2002, and staff had learned a lot about how to treat the diphtheria.

"We've made progress analysing this data but this has illustrated the complex nature of the issue and shown the benefit that more extensive research could bring to solve the mystery about what's causing the disease," Mr Agnew said.

A research project was needed to determine the cause of the diphtheria, he said. A FRST (Foundation for Research, Science and Technology) application for a PhD student to study the diphtheria outbreak was submitted in 2009 by Massey University, in conjunction with Otago University with input from DOC and the Trust. The application was unsuccessful but the agencies were investigating applying for funding through other avenues.

Massey vet Kerri Morgan said the wildlife centre was hoping a dedicated PhD student could undertake the study, with adequate funding to support it.

One aim of the study was to look at the wider influence of variables that are not being considered at the moment, such as weather and sea patterns

The meeting shared information about treating sick chicks, such as supplementary feeding with a special sardine smoothie, correct use of antibiotics and rehydration fluids.