Avian influenza, food safety, and human health

Avian influenza and the risk of human infection

New Zealand has never had a case of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI).

In countries where the current H5N1 strain of HPAI is present, human infection has been rare. Generally, it's only occurred in people who have had a lot of contact with infected birds or other infected animals.

There is no evidence that the H5N1 strain of avian influenza circulating globally can be spread easily from human to human.

Infections in other mammals

Overseas, this strain of HPAI H5N1 has been found in about 60 species of mammals. They can be infected with the disease after contact with infected birds or contaminated material, including water, feed, and litter.

It has been detected in dairy cattle in the United States (US), with cattle generally recovering from the disease in 2 to 3 weeks with supportive care. The US is the only country where cases of HPAI H5N1 have been reported in cattle. Mild cases of HPAI have been detected in a few people who had close contact with infected cattle.

Avian influenza and food safety

HPAI is not a food safety concern. It is safe to eat:

• properly handled and cooked poultry meat, eggs, and egg products
• pasteurised milk and milk products
• cooked beef.

This is because avian influenza viruses are sensitive to heat treatment, so even if we had HPAI in New Zealand, cooked food and pasteurised milk products will be safe to consume.

Eating eggs and poultry

There is no evidence that people can be infected with HPAI by eating thoroughly cooked poultry (like chicken, turkey, or duck), eggs, 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.

Poultry and egg processing requirements

Milk, dairy products, and meat

In the US, where HPAI has been detected in some dairy herds:

• US authorities advise there is no risk to human health from consuming pasteurised milk and milk products
• repeated testing of milk in the US has confirmed that pasteurisation kills the virus.

It's a similar story with beef. Testing of beef collected at retail outlets in states where dairy cattle herds tested positive for H5N1 influenza virus, found no virus particles in the meat.

Consuming raw milk

US authorities have issued a caution against consuming raw milk. New Zealand does not import unpasteurised dairy products from the US.

Note that consumption of raw milk is associated with several types of infections. Harmful bacteria live in the gut of even healthy animals. These bacteria can be present anywhere on a farm. Bacteria can live on clean-looking surfaces and spread from there to the milk.

Raw milk is a risky food for anybody who consumes it. But the risk is higher for some people such as:

• young children and babies
• pregnant women
• older people, especially those with underlying health conditions
• people with low immunity.

Is it safe to drink raw milk and eat raw milk products?

Keeping yourself safe from bird flu in the outdoors

If you are going tramping, camping, hunting, walking dogs near bird colonies, or going anywhere you might be more exposed to wild birds or marine mammals, maintain good hand hygiene. Wash your hands either with soap and running water or use alcohol hand rubs as frequently, thoroughly, and often as possible – especially before and after contact with animals and their environments.

• If you encounter sick or dead wild birds, you should avoid contact with them or their bodily fluids.
• 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 or move the birds.

Avian influenza: staying safe and alert when outdoors

Overseas travellers and avian influenza

If you’re travelling overseas, you should, if possible, avoid:

• wild birds and poultry
• fur farms
• animals in live markets
• entering areas where poultry may be slaughtered
• contact with any surfaces that appear to be contaminated with faeces from poultry or other animals.

Returning travellers should comply with all of New Zealand’s biosecurity requirements. Contact your doctor if you feel unwell and inform them of your travel history, including any exposure to birds or other sick animals.

Find out more about avian influenza

Highly pathogenic avian influenza – Health New Zealand

Influenza (avian and other zoonotic) – World Health Organisation (WHO)