Strict biosecurity measures in place on a chicken farm in New Zealand

Biosecurity New Zealand has placed strict movement controls on a commercial rural Otago egg farm, after testing confirmed a high pathogenic strain of avian influenza in chickens that has likely developed from interactions with local waterfowl and wild birds. "Tests from the Mainland Poultry managed farm have identified a high pathogenic H7N6 subtype of avian influenza. While it is not the H5N1 type circulating among wildlife around the world that has caused concern, we are taking the find seriously," says Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson. "Our testing shows it is unrelated to a H7 strain that was identified in Australia earlier this year, and we believe this case may have happened as part of a spillover event, where laying hens who were foraging outside of the shed were exposed to a low pathogenic virus from wild waterfowl. "Low pathogenic viruses are present in wild birds here, especially waterfowl like ducks, geese, and swans, and the virus can ...