Category: New Zealand Government – Business

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Continued testing and monitoring shows no signs of high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outside of Mainland Poultry’s farm at Hillgrove, Otago, where depopulation of layer sheds is expected to be completed today, says Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson. 

The farm remains under strict biosecurity lockdown.

“The depopulation to date covers all 4 layer sheds, which held a capacity of 160,000 chickens in total. We’ve had an animal welfare specialist on site to observe depopulation operations.

“Test results at the weekend confirmed the HPAI H7N6 virus had spread to the final layer shed, which was not unexpected for this virus. We had already planned to depopulate this shed before those results came in as we knew that spread was almost certain,” says Mr Anderson.

A separate facility on the farm that is away from the layer sheds, and houses 40,000 rearing chickens, will also be cleared. That depopulation will begin today.

“International experience tells us there is no other way to manage the risk of spread of this virus other than full farm depopulation, followed by cleaning, and decontamination.

“We’ve moved quickly in the past week to put in restrictions, investigate, track, and test, and I thank the farmer involved and our industry partners for their help – together we’ve made strong progress.

“More than 1,200 samples have been received to date, with hundreds being analysed at a time at our enhanced PC3 laboratory at Wallaceville in Wellington.

“Our response team has more than 200 staff across MPI now involved. We continue to put significant resource into eliminating H7N6, and we are confident we are on the right track to stamp it out,” says Mr Anderson.

There remains no risk to eggs and chicken supply in New Zealand given the size of the national flock, nor any issues for food safety, and the risk to human health remains low.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Testing and monitoring shows high pathogenic avian influenza remains confined to a single Mainland Poultry property, Hillgrove, in Otago.

An unconnected small farm near Dunedin that underwent testing during the week has been confirmed free of HPAI.

Continued monitoring and preliminary test results show no infection on 5 other Mainland Poultry properties linked to the Hillgrove farm, where depopulation is continuing.

As expected, a third shed on the Hillgrove property has tested positive for HPAI and its 40,000 chickens will be depopulated in the coming days.

A fourth shed, with 40,000 chickens, is yet to test positive but we are planning to depopulate it as it is highly likely to be infected.

The total number of chickens depopulated from the 4 sheds will be 160,000 birds. The farm remains under strict biosecurity lockdown.

There have been no reports of sick poultry elsewhere in the country.

There remains no risk to eggs and chicken supply in New Zealand given the size of the national flock, nor any issues for food safety and human health.

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago 

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand says test results to date from a small free-range layer chicken farm near Dunedin are negative for high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

And testing and monitoring continues to show no signs yet of disease on 5 chicken farms operated by Mainland Poultry and linked to its Hillgrove, Otago, site that tested positive for the H7N6 subtype of avian influenza last weekend, says Biosecurity New Zealand’s deputy director-general Stuart Anderson.

On Tuesday, Biosecurity New Zealand put a precautionary restricted place notice on the Dunedin farm, stopping the movement of material on and off the property, after some of its estimated 6,000 birds died.

“We’ve tested a number of samples from the Dunedin farm and if HPAI was present we would have expected to see it in most of them, but we haven’t found any.

“The results will be welcome news for the farmer and we would like to acknowledge their efforts in reporting the deaths and working with our staff.

“At this stage, we believe the issues on the farm are caused by an existing New Zealand disease among the birds and we will work with the farm to identify what it is and provide support.”

Mr Anderson says the precautionary biosecurity controls put on the property earlier in the week will remain in place for now while more testing is carried out to determine the cause of illness.

Meanwhile, the depopulation of chickens continues at the Mainland Poultry farm at Hillgrove, Otago, which remains under strict controls.

Mr Anderson says to date, there have been no signs of production loss or ill birds at Mainland Poultry’s 5 other properties in the area.

“The Ministry for Primary Industries’ enhanced PC3 laboratory at Wallaceville in Wellington continues to steadily work through hundreds of samples at a time and it’s good news that we’ve not found any other infection yet.

“We’ve moved quickly in the past week to put in restrictions, investigate, track, and test, and I thank the farmers involved and our industry partners for their help – together we’ve made strong progress.”

Mr Anderson says Biosecurity New Zealand will continue its rigorous testing of samples due to the disease’s incubation period, which is usually 3 to 14 days, but can be up to 21 days.

“Steady progress is being made to depopulate chickens in 2 sheds at the Hillgrove egg farm and dispose of them safely at a secure landfill designed for such purposes.”

Mr Anderson says teams are also on-the-ground visiting properties within Biosecurity New Zealand’s 10-kilometre enhanced surveillance zone around Hillgrove, with support from the regional control centre set up to help response efforts.

“Our staff are visiting landowners that own poultry, including commercial and back yard, to provide helpful information on best biosecurity practices, signs of HPAI to look out for, and how to report these to MPI’s pest and disease hotline,” Mr Anderson says.

“We remain confident that we are on the right track to stamping out H7N6.”

Mr Anderson reminded people the risk to human health remains low, and there are no concerns for food safety or wildlife.

“Avian influenza viruses are killed by cooking, so it remains safe to eat thoroughly cooked egg and poultry products,” Mr Anderson says.

“Raw eggs have always been considered a high-risk food. Our advice remains not to consume or serve raw eggs, especially to those with low or compromised immune systems, as the eggs may contain harmful pathogens.”

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 008 333 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago 

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand says initial testing and ongoing monitoring is showing no signs yet of disease on other chicken farms operated by Mainland Poultry in Otago, however extensive work continues.

About 1,000 samples have been received for testing at the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) internationally recognised laboratory at Wallaceville in Wellington, and it is prioritising analysis according to assessed risk.

“The first batch of results, and ongoing monitoring at Mainland Poultry’s properties that have links to the Hillgrove site, show no signs of new disease at this stage, which is promising. However, we are continuing rigorous testing as the disease has an incubation period,” Biosecurity New Zealand’s deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says.

“There have been no signs of production loss or ill birds at Mainland Poultry’s 5 other properties to date, and we will keep monitoring closely.”

Mr Anderson says samples from a smaller free-range chicken farm near Dunedin are being closely analysed and test results are expected soon.

“We acted swiftly on Tuesday, issuing a precautionary restricted placed notice for the property after some of its estimated 6,000 birds died. Those restrictions stopped the movement of material on and off the farm,” Mr Anderson says.

“Testing is normal in biosecurity responses where illness is identified. We acknowledge this is an extremely difficult time for the affected farmers, through no fault of their own, and we are working to support them.”

Mr Anderson says samples are being analysed at the MPI’s multi-million-dollar laboratory in Wallaceville, which is the only facility of its kind in the country.

“We are fortunate to have the facility at Wallaceville. It is the only enhanced PC3 laboratory in the country, meaning it has the highest level of biocontainment approved in New Zealand,” Mr Anderson says.

“This is New Zealand’s first veterinary laboratory to be recognised internationally as a reference laboratory. Having this specialist testing capability means we can get test results faster. Previously, we would have had to send these types of samples to Australia for testing and analysis.

“Staff at the laboratory are methodically working their way through hundreds of samples at a time.”

Mr Anderson says work is continuing today to support Mainland Poultry to humanely cull chickens in 2 of its sheds on one of its Otago farms.

“We are working at a steady pace and the depopulation is progressing well. Two trucks transporting carcasses, eggs and litter from the affected sheds, left the property yesterday afternoon,” Mr Anderson says.

“The material is being taken to a secure landfill in Southland, which is equipped to take this kind of waste.

“The cull is using the industry standard practice of CO₂ containerised gas, which farms regularly use to euthanise chickens.”

Mr Andersons says rigorous testing will need to continue over the coming days and weeks and Biosecurity New Zealand will take action as required.

“The incubation period for the virus is usually 3 to 14 days, with a possibility up to 21 days, so testing will continue over the next 2 to 3 weeks,” Mr Anderson says.

Biosecurity New Zealand has increased its presence on the ground in Otago and has set up a regional control centre to manage the situation.

Mr Anderson reminded people the risk to human health remains low, and there are no concerns for food safety or wildlife.

“Avian influenza viruses are killed by cooking, so it remains safe to eat thoroughly cooked egg and poultry products,” Mr Anderson says.

“Raw eggs have always been considered a high-risk food. Our advice remains not to consume or serve raw eggs, especially to those with low or compromised immune systems, as the eggs may contain harmful pathogens.”

Note, we will send out a further update if we receive significant new information.

MPI chief veterinary officer Dr Mary van Andel will be available for media interviews at the Charles Fergusson Building in Wellington between 2pm to 3.30pm today. Contact our media team to make a time.

For more information, email BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago 

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand says initial testing and ongoing monitoring is showing no signs yet of disease on other chicken farms operated by Mainland Poultry in Otago, however extensive work continues.

About 1,000 samples have been received for testing at the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI’s) internationally recognised laboratory at Wallaceville in Wellington, and it is prioritising analysis according to assessed risk.

“The first batch of results, and ongoing monitoring at Mainland Poultry’s properties that have links to the Hillgrove site, show no signs of new disease at this stage, which is promising. However, we are continuing rigorous testing as the disease has an incubation period,” Biosecurity New Zealand’s deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says.

“There have been no signs of production loss or ill birds at Mainland Poultry’s 5 other properties to date, and we will keep monitoring closely.”

Mr Anderson says samples from a smaller free-range chicken farm near Dunedin are being closely analysed and test results are expected soon.

“We acted swiftly on Tuesday, issuing a precautionary restricted placed notice for the property after some of its estimated 6,000 birds died. Those restrictions stopped the movement of material on and off the farm,” Mr Anderson says.

“Testing is normal in biosecurity responses where illness is identified. We acknowledge this is an extremely difficult time for the affected farmers, through no fault of their own, and we are working to support them.”

Mr Anderson says samples are being analysed at the MPI’s multi-million-dollar laboratory in Wallaceville, which is the only facility of its kind in the country.

“We are fortunate to have the facility at Wallaceville. It is the only enhanced PC3 laboratory in the country, meaning it has the highest level of biocontainment approved in New Zealand,” Mr Anderson says.

“This is New Zealand’s first veterinary laboratory to be recognised internationally as a reference laboratory. Having this specialist testing capability means we can get test results faster. Previously, we would have had to send these types of samples to Australia for testing and analysis.

“Staff at the laboratory are methodically working their way through hundreds of samples at a time.”

Mr Anderson says work is continuing today to support Mainland Poultry to humanely cull chickens in 2 of its sheds on one of its Otago farms.

“We are working at a steady pace and the depopulation is progressing well. Two trucks transporting carcasses, eggs and litter from the affected sheds, left the property yesterday afternoon,” Mr Anderson says.

“The material is being taken to a secure landfill in Southland, which is equipped to take this kind of waste.

“The cull is using the industry standard practice of CO₂ containerised gas, which farms regularly use to euthanise chickens.”

Mr Andersons says rigorous testing will need to continue over the coming days and weeks and Biosecurity New Zealand will take action as required.

“The incubation period for the virus is usually 3 to 14 days, with a possibility up to 21 days, so testing will continue over the next 2 to 3 weeks,” Mr Anderson says.

Biosecurity New Zealand has increased its presence on the ground in Otago and has set up a regional control centre to manage the situation.

Mr Anderson reminded people the risk to human health remains low, and there are no concerns for food safety or wildlife.

“Avian influenza viruses are killed by cooking, so it remains safe to eat thoroughly cooked egg and poultry products,” Mr Anderson says.

“Raw eggs have always been considered a high-risk food. Our advice remains not to consume or serve raw eggs, especially to those with low or compromised immune systems, as the eggs may contain harmful pathogens.”

Note, we will send out a further update if we receive significant new information.

MPI chief veterinary officer Dr Mary van Andel will be available for media interviews at the Charles Fergusson Building in Wellington between 2pm to 3.30pm today. Contact our media team to make a time.

For more information, email: BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago 

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand is taking further action today to stamp out a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza, H7N6, detected on a commercial egg farm in rural Otago.

“Work started this morning to humanely cull chickens in 2 sheds on a farm managed by Mainland Poultry, where testing confirmed cases of an H7N6 subtype of avian influenza in birds,” Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says.

“We’ve also placed a precautionary restricted place notice on a small free-range farm near Dunedin, stopping the movement of material on and off the property.

“As is normal in biosecurity responses, we always investigate where illness is identified. The property has around 6,000 birds, with a number of deaths, and testing is underway. 

Mr Anderson says the cull at the Mainland Poultry’s egg farm is being carried out by the business and supported by Biosecurity New Zealand.

“The cull is expected to take 2 to 3 days, using the existing industry standard practice of CO2 containerised gas, which farms regularly use to euthanise chickens,” Mr Anderson says.

“The carcasses, along with litter from the affected sheds, will be transported to a secure landfill in Southland, equipped to take this kind of waste,” Mr Anderson says.

“The carcases will be loaded directly onto trucks with a leak-proof plastic lining, which has been thoroughly tested.

“It’s important to point out the landfill has specific features to prevent the leaching of materials into the environment, including impermeable layers, and a process of routine monitoring.

“The disposal will be in a deep pit and in an area well away from any public access, and the landfill will be closed during this process.”

Mr Anderson says testing has been conducted at the smaller poultry farm near Dunedin.

“The property is not owned by Mainland Poultry, and we are investigating if there are any links between the first property and this one.”

Mr Anderson says testing is being carried out on birds in remaining sheds on Mainland Poultry’s egg farm and at other properties of interest.

“We will continue rigorous testing over the coming days and weeks and will take action as required,” Mr Anderson says.

“There had been no reports of concern about other ill or dead birds on other poultry farms.

“Contract tracing has revealed limited movements between Mainland Poultry’s affected farm and some of the other poultry farms in the area.”

Mr Anderson is reminding people the risk to human health remains low, and there are no concerns for food safety or wildlife.

“Avian influenza viruses are killed by cooking, so it remains safe to eat thoroughly cooked egg and poultry products,” Mr Anderson says.

“Raw eggs have always been considered a high-risk food. Our advice remains not to consume or serve raw eggs, especially to those with low or compromised immune systems, as the eggs may contain harmful pathogens, including salmonella.”

The 10-kilometre buffer zone around Mainland Poultry’s egg farm will now be referred to as an enhanced surveillance zone.

Biosecurity New Zealand will be increasing its presence on the ground in Otago and has set up a regional control centre today to manage the situation.

“Over 100 staff across MPI, including frontline biosecurity, trade and market access, veterinarians, agriculture, communications, and food safety are contributing to the response and this number is increasing daily as required, both on the ground in Otago and in our operations centre,” Mr Anderson says.

Find out more about the strain of bird flu (H7N6) in Otago 

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.

Source: Ministry for Primary Industries

Biosecurity New Zealand continues to work closely with Mainland Poultry following the detection of a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza, H7N6, at one of its commercial egg farms in rural Otago.

“Testing has confirmed further cases of an H7N6 subtype of avian influenza in chickens in a second shed at the farm, “Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson says.

“The remote farm remains under strict biosecurity controls to restrict the movement of birds, poultry products, feed, and equipment on or off the property. The detection of further positive cases on the farm is not unexpected given the nature of the virus.”

Mr Anderson says the birds in both sheds, which total about 80,000-layer hens, would be humanely culled with the farmer’s cooperation and this is planned to start tomorrow (Wednesday).

“This is expected to take 2 to 3 days, using existing industry standard practice of CO2 containerised gas, which farms regularly use to euthanise chickens. At present, there will be no major impact on egg supplies as New Zealand has about 3.9-million-layer hens a year.

“Once the sheds have been depopulated, they will be thoroughly cleaned. It will be sometime before those sheds can be safely repopulated. We have Biosecurity New Zealand response staff on-site in Otago, and they are providing advice and guidance, including logistics and planning with depopulation and disposal of the birds.”

Testing of other sheds on the property continues.

“If required, we will put more restrictions in place, however, at this stage, there have been no further reports of any avian influenza type symptoms showing in chickens in any other poultry farm.

Mr Anderson says the risk to human health remains low, and there are no concerns for food safety or wildlife.

The property, managed by Mainland Poultry, was placed under a restricted place notice on Sunday after results from testing confirmed H7N6 strain in chickens from one shed on the property. The virus has likely developed from interactions with local waterfowl and wild birds.  

Mr Anderson is on site at the Otago farm today to observe operations.

“We acknowledge this is an extremely difficult time for the farm’s operator, but we commend their actions,” Mr Anderson says.

“Mainland Poultry took the right steps by notifying us of sick and dying birds. The farm has strong biosecurity standards. 3 specialist veterinarians from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) are on site.

“They have been carrying out further investigations and taking samples from birds in other sheds on the farm and conducting tracing work to six other poultry farms in the area that are linked to the affected property. 

“We are also tracing all movements to and from the farm over the past week. We will place biosecurity controls on any property if we need to manage any biosecurity risk.”

Mr Anderson says next steps include continuing to collect samples for testing. The incubation period for the virus is usually 3-14 days, with a possibility up to 21 days, so testing will continue over the next 2-3 weeks.

“Biosecurity New Zealand has a comprehensive surveillance programme of all poultry properties in the area, where we are testing birds on those properties for any signs of avian influenza.”

A further update will be provided at midday tomorrow.

For more information, email: BiosecurityNZ_media@mpi.govt.nz

For further information and general enquiries, call MPI on 0800 00 83 33 or email info@mpi.govt.nz

For media enquiries, contact the media team on 029 894 0328.