New Zealand officials announced on Tuesday that testing has confirmed the containment of the highly pathogenic H7N6 avian flu strain that recently infected a farm.
Key Highlights:
Containment Assurance:
Mary van Andel, Chief Veterinary Officer at the Ministry of Primary Industries, stated that extensive testing of farms connected to the affected property has led to confidence that the virus is confined to that single farm.
“We are on track to stamp out this disease,” van Andel emphasized.
Initial Detection:
The positive test for H7N6 was reported in December on a chicken farm located in Otago, South Island, marking New Zealand’s first instance of this strain.
Differences from H5N1:
The H7N6 strain differs from the more widely known H5N1 strain, which has raised global concerns regarding human transmission.
Biosecurity Measures:
The affected farm remains under strict biosecurity lockdown while cleaning and decontamination processes are underway.
New Zealand has suspended all poultry exports following the discovery of the virus.
Trade Relations:
Van Andel noted that the government is maintaining close communication with trade partners. An agreement has been reached with Australia to allow the continued export of certain poultry products.