Avian influenza reaches New Zealand

NEW ZEALAND – New Zealand has confirmed its first case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as the H7N6 variant emerges in the country. 

The outbreak, detected on December 1, marks a significant moment in New Zealand’s biosecurity history, with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) noting that this is the first recorded instance of HPAI in the nation.

The virus has affected a flock of 220,000 free-range commercial laying hens at a farm located in East Otago, on the South Island. 

Reports indicate that 3,500 hens have died due to the infection. 

In response to the outbreak, Biosecurity New Zealand has implemented strict movement restrictions and established a 10-kilometer buffer zone around the affected area to prevent further spread of the virus.

Stuart Anderson, Deputy Director-General of Biosecurity New Zealand, emphasized that while this strain is not the widely concerning H5N1 variant found globally, it is still being taken seriously. 

Testing has confirmed that this H7N6 strain is distinct from an earlier H7 strain identified in Australia. 

Anderson suggested that the outbreak may have originated from a spillover event where hens foraging outdoors came into contact with low pathogenic viruses carried by wild waterfowl.

Mainland Poultry, which manages the affected farm, is actively cooperating with government agencies to manage the situation. 

Chief Executive John McKay stated that the company had been preparing for such an event due to the known presence of low pathogenic avian influenza in New Zealand’s wild bird population. 

He expressed confidence that this strain could be eradicated swiftly based on international experiences with similar outbreaks.

The economic implications of this outbreak are notable, as New Zealand’s poultry meat exports are valued at approximately US$112 million annually. 

Currently, there are nearly 124 million chickens across about 180 poultry farms in the country. 

Despite this outbreak, officials have assured that there are no human health or food safety risks associated with consuming properly cooked poultry products.

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