Situation update of H7N6 bird flu detection in Otago, New Zealand on December 5, 2024

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 ...