Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said good progress was made in responding to the detection of high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) in Otago, but there was still more work to do.
“Rigorous testing and monitoring continue to show no confirmed signs of the disease in chicken farms outside of Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove egg farm in Otago,” said Hoggard.
“Biosecurity New Zealand has moved quickly, and the results provide cautious optimism as extensive and detailed work continues, in partnership with industry, to eliminate the virus.”
More than 100 staff across MPI, including frontline biosecurity, trade and market access, veterinarians, scientists, and food safety staff, have been contributing to the response, and that number has been increasing daily.
“Work will continue as we keep investigating, tracing, and testing.”
Hoggard said the detection had highlighted the importance of MPI’s internationally recognised laboratory at Wallaceville, the country's only facility.
“New Zealand is extremely fortunate to have the facility at Wallaceville and the depth of scientific capability. Previously, we would have had to send these types of samples offshore for testing and analysis at great expense and valuable loss of time.”
He also acknowledged the work of laboratory staff in Wallaceville, who had been methodically working their way through hundreds of samples at a time. He thanked the egg farmers in Otago since it had been a tough time for them and their staff.
“We are not out of the woods yet. This disease has an incubation period, which is usually three to 14 days but can be up to 21 days, but we'll continue to chase down any issues."
