New Zealand reports first outbreak of bird flu

New Zealand has recorded its first case of poultry infected with the highly pathogenic H7N6 strain of avian influenza, the country's Ministry of Industry reported. The ministry's statement noted that testing conducted by ministry specialists "confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic H7N6 strain of avian influenza in chickens, which developed as a result of their interaction with wild birds." "There have been no reports of sick or dead birds at other poultry farms, and there are no concerns about human health or food safety," Deputy Minister Stuart Anderson said. It was also reported that the country's first outbreak of avian influenza was recorded at the Mainland Poultry farm, located on the southeast coast of the South Island, 40 km north of Dunedin. According to New Zealand's biosecurity rules, a strict quarantine zone has been established in a 10-kilometer zone around the farm, ...