Movement controls in place after a strain of avian influenza detected
Biosecurity New Zealand has placed strict movement controls on a commercial, free-range egg farm in a remote part of rural Otago. The farm is managed by Mainland Poultry. The controls come after testing confirmed a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza, H7N6, in chickens on the farm.
While it is not the H5N1 strain circulating in wildlife around the world, we are taking the find seriously.
The biosecurity controls (Restricted Place Notice) restrict the movement (both on and off the farm) of:
- birds
- poultry products
- feed
- equipment.
We are working closely with Mainland Poultry, which had increased biosecurity measures on-farm. The affected shed has been locked down to protect remaining chickens on the farm.
There had been no reports of other ill or dead birds on other poultry farms, and there are no human health or food safety concerns. It is safe to consume thoroughly cooked egg and poultry products.
Media release: Strict biosecurity measures in place on chicken farm
What is HPAI H7N6?
Avian influenza is a viral disease of birds found globally. Virus strains are described as low pathogenicity (LPAI) or high pathogenicity (HPAI).
The H7N6 strain is closely related to LPAI strains present in wild birds in New Zealand.
When an LPAI strain is introduced to chickens, it can mutate into a high pathogenic strain. While this is a high pathogenic strain, it is not the HPAI H5N1 strain that has caused deaths in poultry, wild birds, and mammals overseas. New Zealand remains free of HPAI H5N1.
Testing also shows that the strain is unrelated to the H7 strain of avian influenza identified in Australia earlier this year.
How did it get here?
We believe this case in Otago may have happened by what is known as a "spillover event". This is when free-range laying hens foraging outside are exposed to the low pathogenicity virus from wild waterfowl, which has then mutated into HPAI.
We have an active surveillance programme for LPAI and test around 2,000 samples from wild birds each year.
What we are doing about the avian influenza detection
Biosecurity New Zealand is moving quickly, with Mainland Poultry, to depopulate birds on the property. A buffer zone has been placed around the farm, alongside the movement controls in the Restricted Place Notice.
We aim to stamp this out, like we did with infectious bursal viral disease, which affected chickens in 2019.
How we have been preparing for the arrival of bird flu
Biosecurity New Zealand has been preparing for an event like this for some time. International experience with avian influenza has shown us this particular strain can be eradicated quickly and successfully.
We are working closely with industry partners. We have put a lot of effort in with the poultry and egg sector, the Department of Conservation, and Ministry of Health to prepare for H5N1 and that puts us in a good position to deal with the less virulent H7N6 strain found on this farm.
We are assessing the potential impacts of the positive high pathogenic avian influenza result on poultry exports.
Eating eggs and poultry products is safe
There are no food safety concerns. Avian influenza viruses are sensitive to heat treatment and cooked food is safe to eat.
There is no evidence that people can be infected with avian influenza by eating thoroughly cooked eggs or poultry (like chicken, turkey, or duck), or foods that contain them.
Thorough cooking means heating food to an internal temperature of:
- 75°C for at least 30 seconds, or
- 70°C for 3 minutes, or
- 65°C for 15 minutes.
Does this mean New Zealand is at greater risk of getting H5N1?
The strain detected in Otago (H7N6) is different from H5N1. The detection of H7N6 does not change the likelihood or risk of H5N1 arriving in New Zealand.
Biosecurity New Zealand and our partners have surveillance programmes in place to detect the arrival of the most concerning strain of HPAI – H5N1, and other exotic diseases.
While the HPAI H5N1 strain is still some distance from New Zealand, it’s important we take a cautious approach.
New Zealand has an advantage over many other countries that have experienced the H5N1 strain of HPAI, in that we have time to prepare.
Mainland Poultry took the right steps by notifying us of sick and dying birds. The farm has strong biosecurity standards, and the farmer is helping with ongoing investigation and tracking and tracing of movements off the farm.
How to report suspected HPAI
If you notice poultry or domestic birds exhibiting signs of HPAI, contact your veterinarian first to rule out more common avian diseases. Wait for your veterinarian’s instructions before handling any sick or dead birds.
If you see 3 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. Do not handle the birds.
Provide as much detail as you can, including:
- a GPS reading or other precise location information
- photographs or videos of sick and dead birds
- species identity and estimate of numbers affected
- note how many are sick or freshly dead, and the total number present.
We will take the details and an incursion investigator will be in contact with you. Follow any instructions from MPI for handling of sick or dead birds.
Find out more about bird flu
H7N6 strain of avian influenza detected in commercial poultry fact sheet [PDF, 834 KB]
High pathogenicity avian influenza and the risk to New Zealand
