New Zealand: H7N6 in Otago – situation update 3 December 2024

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 ...