02.12.2024

A high pathogenic strain of avian influenza has been confirmed on a commercial rural Otago free-range commercial layer chicken. Tests have identified a high pathogenic H7N6 subtype of avian influenza. Tests show the virus is unrelated to an H7 strain that was identified in Australia earlier this year. The sequencing of the virus is similar to a low pathogenicity avian influenza strain previously identified in New Zealand wild birds. There are 160,000 chickens in the shed on Hillgrove Egg Farm, belonging to Mainland Poultry, where the virus was identified.
This appear to be the first case of HPAI in New Zealand.