Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Dec 3, 2024 1:25:08 GMT
Controls in place as bird flu strain found in chickens at Otago egg farm - Published Dec 2, 2024
The calm-mongering in this one is egregious... We need to be taking precautions, not saying "There's no proof of H5N1 in wild birds" when it's been its confirmed number one source of long-distance spread since 2023. To quote the great John Brown who died on a December 2nd so, so many years ago, "What is needed is action - Action!"
A commercial egg farm in rural Otago is under strict movement controls after testing confirmed a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza in chickens at the premises.
Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson said tests from the Mainland Poultry-managed farm have identified a high pathogenic subtype of avian influenza called H7N6, which has likely developed from interactions with local waterfowl and wild birds.
"While it is not the H5N1 type circulating among wildlife around the world that has caused concern we are taking the find seriously," he said.
Anderson said low pathogenic viruses are already present in wild birds here, especially waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans. The virus can mutate on interaction with chickens.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said it has suspended certification of live and raw poultry commodities to markets requiring freedom from the virus.
"This will remain in place until, for example, MPI has the certainty that the disease has been contained within a defined area."
Once further progress has been made in the eradication process, MPI said it can work with relevant partners to resume trade. It will also work with its counterparts in export markets to ensure they are happy with its actions to contain the disease.
"Urgent measures, such as the 10-kilometre buffer site put in place by biosecurity staff and depopulation of the birds in the affected shed, will help to show the strong action New Zealand is taking."
Anderson said testing shows it is "unrelated to a H7 strain that was identified in Australia earlier this year and we believe this case may have happened as part of a spillover event, where laying hens who were foraging outside of the shed were exposed to a low pathogenic virus from wild waterfowl".
“Low pathogenic viruses are present in wild birds here, especially waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans and the virus can mutate on interaction with chickens.
"It is important to note that the strain found on this farm is not a wildlife adapted strain like HN51, so we believe it is unlikely to be transmitted to mammals."
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."
Anderson said quick action had been taken in co-operation with Mainland Poultry and a restricted place notice issued.
"Test results late last night confirmed the strain, but we already had restrictions in place and expert biosecurity staff on site, with more arriving today. Mainland Poultry took the right steps by reporting ill birds in one shed on the property and locking that building down as testing continued.
“We will move quickly, with Mainland Poultry, to depopulate birds on the remote property and we’ve placed a 10-kilometre buffer zone around it alongside the restrictions preventing movement of animals, equipment, and feed.
He said the company aimed to "stamp this out like we did with infectious bursal viral disease that affected chickens in 2019".
Mainland Poultry chief executive John McKay said the company, which managed the farm, had been preparing for an event like this "for some time" as low pathogenic avian influenza was already present in New Zealand wild birds.
"Fortunately, this is not the H5N1 type that has caused concern for wildlife in other parts of the world. International experience with avian influenza has shown us this particular strain (H7N6) can be eradicated quickly and successfully."
"We will be working closely with MPI to depopulate the affected shed, ensure rigorous testing of all other birds on the farm and manage the situation effectively. I’m confident with swift action and collaboration we can eradicate this," McKay said.
Anderson said Biosecurity New Zealand was working closely with industry partners to ensure the find was dealt with quickly and any possible impacts to trade limited.
"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."
Anderson said if anyone saw three or more sick or dead wild birds in a group they should report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
Minister reassures food is safe
Due to the difference in the strain of the virus overseas and the one found in Otago, Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety Andrew Hoggard said he wanted to "emphasise there is no food safety risk, as long as you cook the poultry and eggs properly as recommended".
"There have been many outbreaks of H7 high pathogen avian influenza overseas and there has never been a reported human case of that. So, the human health element or human safety, we're fairly confident there are minimal risks here."
Similarly, Hoggard said there has been "no evidence" this strain of the virus has moved from poultry "back to wildlife".
He added the concern mainly involves people and gear which could move to different properties, which they are "busy tracing at the moment".
"We're going to really test and make sure it hasn't spread anywhere else, and we've got measures in place to really get on top of that spread, if it was to spread to other sheds, and prevent it from moving to other farms."
The calm-mongering in this one is egregious... We need to be taking precautions, not saying "There's no proof of H5N1 in wild birds" when it's been its confirmed number one source of long-distance spread since 2023. To quote the great John Brown who died on a December 2nd so, so many years ago, "What is needed is action - Action!"
A commercial egg farm in rural Otago is under strict movement controls after testing confirmed a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza in chickens at the premises.
Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson said tests from the Mainland Poultry-managed farm have identified a high pathogenic subtype of avian influenza called H7N6, which has likely developed from interactions with local waterfowl and wild birds.
"While it is not the H5N1 type circulating among wildlife around the world that has caused concern we are taking the find seriously," he said.
Anderson said low pathogenic viruses are already present in wild birds here, especially waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans. The virus can mutate on interaction with chickens.
The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) said it has suspended certification of live and raw poultry commodities to markets requiring freedom from the virus.
"This will remain in place until, for example, MPI has the certainty that the disease has been contained within a defined area."
Once further progress has been made in the eradication process, MPI said it can work with relevant partners to resume trade. It will also work with its counterparts in export markets to ensure they are happy with its actions to contain the disease.
"Urgent measures, such as the 10-kilometre buffer site put in place by biosecurity staff and depopulation of the birds in the affected shed, will help to show the strong action New Zealand is taking."
Anderson said testing shows it is "unrelated to a H7 strain that was identified in Australia earlier this year and we believe this case may have happened as part of a spillover event, where laying hens who were foraging outside of the shed were exposed to a low pathogenic virus from wild waterfowl".
“Low pathogenic viruses are present in wild birds here, especially waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans and the virus can mutate on interaction with chickens.
"It is important to note that the strain found on this farm is not a wildlife adapted strain like HN51, so we believe it is unlikely to be transmitted to mammals."
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."
Anderson said quick action had been taken in co-operation with Mainland Poultry and a restricted place notice issued.
"Test results late last night confirmed the strain, but we already had restrictions in place and expert biosecurity staff on site, with more arriving today. Mainland Poultry took the right steps by reporting ill birds in one shed on the property and locking that building down as testing continued.
“We will move quickly, with Mainland Poultry, to depopulate birds on the remote property and we’ve placed a 10-kilometre buffer zone around it alongside the restrictions preventing movement of animals, equipment, and feed.
He said the company aimed to "stamp this out like we did with infectious bursal viral disease that affected chickens in 2019".
Mainland Poultry chief executive John McKay said the company, which managed the farm, had been preparing for an event like this "for some time" as low pathogenic avian influenza was already present in New Zealand wild birds.
"Fortunately, this is not the H5N1 type that has caused concern for wildlife in other parts of the world. International experience with avian influenza has shown us this particular strain (H7N6) can be eradicated quickly and successfully."
"We will be working closely with MPI to depopulate the affected shed, ensure rigorous testing of all other birds on the farm and manage the situation effectively. I’m confident with swift action and collaboration we can eradicate this," McKay said.
Anderson said Biosecurity New Zealand was working closely with industry partners to ensure the find was dealt with quickly and any possible impacts to trade limited.
"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."
Anderson said if anyone saw three or more sick or dead wild birds in a group they should report it immediately to the exotic pest and disease hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
Minister reassures food is safe
Due to the difference in the strain of the virus overseas and the one found in Otago, Minister for Biosecurity and Food Safety Andrew Hoggard said he wanted to "emphasise there is no food safety risk, as long as you cook the poultry and eggs properly as recommended".
"There have been many outbreaks of H7 high pathogen avian influenza overseas and there has never been a reported human case of that. So, the human health element or human safety, we're fairly confident there are minimal risks here."
Similarly, Hoggard said there has been "no evidence" this strain of the virus has moved from poultry "back to wildlife".
He added the concern mainly involves people and gear which could move to different properties, which they are "busy tracing at the moment".
"We're going to really test and make sure it hasn't spread anywhere else, and we've got measures in place to really get on top of that spread, if it was to spread to other sheds, and prevent it from moving to other farms."