New Zealand boosts preparations against H5N1 threat

Wellington

New Zealand is strengthening its preparations for the possible arrival of the dangerous H5N1 bird flu virus. Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said working closely with the poultry industry is important to fight high pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Earlier, New Zealand faced an outbreak of a milder H7N6 strain at a major egg farm in Otago, South Island. Hoggard explained that this was the first case of HPAI in New Zealand. The quick response tested the country’s plans for more dangerous strains like H5N1.

Strict biosecurity controls at Mainland Poultry’s Hillgrove Farm have now been lifted. Officials found no infected chickens beyond the farm. Hoggard praised the focused effort and strong industry support that helped control the outbreak quickly.

He added that New Zealand’s strong biosecurity system and natural geographic isolation are key advantages. However, he warned that the country must not become complacent because H5N1 remains a serious threat.

The H5N1 strain has caused millions of bird deaths around the world since it first appeared in 1996. A newer version of the virus has spread across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas since 2020.

The World Health Organization reports that while human infections are rare, they can cause severe illness and often death. Most human cases involve close contact with infected birds. The virus does not spread easily between people, and no sustained human-to-human spread has been reported.

New Zealand continues to prepare carefully to protect its farms, people, and environment from this growing threat.