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Bird flu or avian influenza – frequently asked questions

There has never been an outbreak of avian influenza in New Zealand. Although avian influenza does not spread easily from birds to humans, a small number of cases have occurred overseas. Human-to-human transmission of avian influenza is rare.

New Zealand does not import raw chicken or shell eggs for human consumption. There has never been an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza such as H5N1 in New Zealand, and if the disease were ever introduced here it would be very obvious.

Poultry farmers have been reminded of how to report the disease, should they have any concerns. However, as good practice, and to inform New Zealanders travelling abroad, we support the following good practice advice from the World Health Organisation:

• In countries that have the H5N1virus, the greatest risk of exposure is through the handling and slaughter of live infected poultry. Good hygiene practices are essential during slaughter and post-slaughter handling to prevent exposure via raw poultry meat or cross contamination from poultry to other foods, food preparation surfaces or equipment.

• The H5N1 virus, if present in poultry meat, is not killed by refrigeration or freezing.

• Conventional cooking (temperatures at or above 70 degrees Celsius in all parts of a food item) will inactivate the H5N1 virus. Properly cooked poultry meat is safe to consume.

• Eggs can contain H5N1 virus both on the outside (shell) and the inside (whites and yolk). Eggs should not be consumed raw or partially cooked (runny yolk); uncooked eggs should not be used in foods that will not be cooked, baked or heat-treated in other ways.

• There is no evidence to indicate that people have been infected with the H5N1 virus following consumption of properly cooked poultry or eggs.

Avian influenza frequently asked questions [World Health Organization]

Does New Zealand import live birds or bird products from any of the affected countries?

No. There have been no imports of live birds into New Zealand since 1997, except for Zoo species such as flamingos. New Zealand does import some other poultry products such as canned meat, feathers, down and skin. These products pose no risk to humans because they are highly processed and any virus would have been killed in processing. Imports of any products of this nature must have biosecurity clearance under an import health standard from MAF Biosecurity. Foods and animal feeds must comply with our regulations.

Does New Zealand import any poultry products for human consumption from the affected countries?

Some poultry products imported into New Zealand come from the affected countries. These products include chicken paste, powdered chicken stock and dried egg yolk. They are subject to extensive risk assessment procedures by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Biosecurity New Zealand and us. Because these poultry products are fully processed they pose no risk to either biosecurity or human health.

Does New Zealand import any bird products that are fed to animals or fish?

Imports of any products of this nature must have biosecurity clearance under an import health standard from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and Biosecurity New Zealand. Foods and animal feeds must comply with our regulations. Any bird product intended for animal feed or fish feed has been commercially prepared either through cooking or sterilisation. Both processes kill the avian influenza virus.

Does New Zealand import hatching eggs?

Yes. New Zealand imports live chicken, turkey, duck, goose and swan eggs from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Australia. The parent flock and eggs are bred within strict quarantine under veterinary supervision providing health and testing records dating back many years. If the current virus spread to any of these countries this would be reviewed.

I have chickens, how will I know if my flock has got avian influenza?

The disease can be variable, depending on species, age, virus type and other factors like concurrent bacterial infections. The main symptoms to look for in poultry are:

• sudden and unexplained deaths

• rapid spread of disease throughout the flock

• depression and loss of appetite

• drop in egg production

• nervous signs

• swelling and blue combs and wattles

• coughing, sneezing and diarrhoea.

Mortality is extremely high with deaths up to 100% over just a few days. Less virulent forms of the virus may show as mild respiratory disease, depression and a drop in egg production for laying birds.

Please call the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry Emergency Pest and Disease Hotline on 0800 809 966 if you suspect your birds may be infected with avian influenza.