Poultry industry surveillance for Avian Influenza
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) asks that people working with poultry be alert to the symptoms of avian influenza. This follows the recent outbreak of avian influenza in South East Asia, and the threat it poses to human health.
Most outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry are thought to have been caused by infections transmitted from wild birds, particularly water fowl.
These wild birds rarely show signs of the disease but they are thought to pass on the virus that may subsequently mutate into a virulent form once circulating in poultry.
New Zealand is not immune from a potential outbreak of the virus as shown by surveys of wild birds in New Zealand which revealed a low level of the avian influenza virus in waterfowl.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF) and the poultry industry have response plans should a disease outbreak occur but early detection is critical. In this respect poultry workers are our front line defence.
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:
- depression and loss of appetite
- drop in egg production
- nervous signs
- swelling and blue combs and wattles
- coughing, sneezing and diarrhoea.
- unexplained deaths
Sudden death can occur without any previous signs and it can spread rapidly through the flock. Mortality is extremely high with deaths up to 100% over just a few days. Lesser forms of the virus may show as mild respiratory disease, depression and drop in egg production in laying birds.
Anyone who suspects avian influenza or some other exotic disease should ring the MAF Exotic Disease and Pest Emergency Hotline 0800 809966 at any time of the day or night.
An experienced disease investigator who has access to poultry specialists will answer your call.
Page last updated: 11 June 2008