Conservation, primary industry working with poultry industry after bird flu detected in Australia
A serious bird flu disease has landed in Australia, authorities have confirmed, with New Zealand officials now working closely with our poultry industry to minimise potential impacts.
On our shores, Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) chief veterinary officer Mary van Andel said everyone in New Zealand should be aware of this.
Speaking to Ryan Bridge TODAY, van Andel said the disease had caused large numbers of deaths in wild birds, poultry and some mammals overseas.
“This is a serious disease internationally and scientists have been predicting that it will arrive in our region and on our shores, and now it has arrived in Australia,” she said.
Australian authorities confirmed the strain to be H5N1 clade 2.3 4.4 b.
“What we know about this particular strain of avian influenza virus is that it is moving around the world with birds as they move.
“And some of these movements can be long-range movements between the northern and southern hemisphere, but some of these movements, like the skua bird, most likely came from Antarctica and went to Western Australia.”
Van Andel said they were working very closely with the poultry industry, the Department of Conservation and the health ministries to mitigate any impacts to New Zealand.
“We can compare with our colleagues internationally how the disease has behaved there, but of course we can’t say for sure what would happen here in New Zealand.”
Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you
Get the iHeart App
Get more of the radio, music and podcasts you love with the FREE iHeart app. Scan the QR code to download now.
Download from the app stores
Stream unlimited music, thousands of radio stations and podcasts all in one app. iHeart is easy to use and all FREE
