Avian Influenza Threatens Dairy Industry in New Zealand
Source: The DairyNews
The recent detection of bird flu in dairy herds in the United States has heightened concerns about the potential impact of the disease should it spread to New Zealand.
Maintaining rigorous surveillance, implementing strict biosecurity measures, and fostering a comprehensive understanding of symptoms are crucial steps in preventing the spread of the disease within New Zealand.
The emergence of bird flu within the US cattle population has significantly elevated the risk, prompting close monitoring and raising multiple concerns, according to Nigel French, a professor specializing in infectious disease epidemiology and public health at Massey University.
The outbreak has already had a profound impact on infected herds in the US, affecting up to 10% of cows in herds that typically comprise 20,000 to 30,000 animals each.
Despite the absence of a specific cattle vaccination against bird flu, the discovery of the disease in New Zealand would likely expedite efforts to develop such a vaccine, given the high stakes involved.
Dr. Mary van Andel, chief veterinary officer at the Ministry for Primary Industries, emphasized that the current situation in the US marks the first global instance of bird flu crossing over into cows. However, she reassured consumers that pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption, and robust surveillance systems are in place to detect any potential incursion of the virus.
While the risk of bird flu entering New Zealand through managed pathways is currently deemed low, continuous monitoring and assessment of the threat are ongoing, with particular attention paid to international developments.
The primary concern lies in the potential transmission of the virus via wild migratory birds rather than controlled ports and facilities. Dr. van Andel highlighted that New Zealand has two vaccinations against bird flu registered for emergency use, emphasizing the evolving role of vaccination in disease control strategies.
Professor Phil Battley, an expert in migratory birds at Massey University, warned that while New Zealand's isolation provides some protection, the detection of bird flu in the Antarctic and its impact on mammals, such as seals, underscore the potential risks.
One conceivable pathway for cattle infection involves infected pied oystercatchers transmitting the virus to dairy cows in Canterbury. These coastal birds migrate inland to breed along the South Island's east coast, potentially bringing the virus into contact with farming areas during their breeding season from August onwards.
The emergence of bird flu within the US cattle population has significantly elevated the risk, prompting close monitoring and raising multiple concerns, according to Nigel French, a professor specializing in infectious disease epidemiology and public health at Massey University.
The outbreak has already had a profound impact on infected herds in the US, affecting up to 10% of cows in herds that typically comprise 20,000 to 30,000 animals each.
Despite the absence of a specific cattle vaccination against bird flu, the discovery of the disease in New Zealand would likely expedite efforts to develop such a vaccine, given the high stakes involved.
Dr. Mary van Andel, chief veterinary officer at the Ministry for Primary Industries, emphasized that the current situation in the US marks the first global instance of bird flu crossing over into cows. However, she reassured consumers that pasteurized milk remains safe for consumption, and robust surveillance systems are in place to detect any potential incursion of the virus.
While the risk of bird flu entering New Zealand through managed pathways is currently deemed low, continuous monitoring and assessment of the threat are ongoing, with particular attention paid to international developments.
The primary concern lies in the potential transmission of the virus via wild migratory birds rather than controlled ports and facilities. Dr. van Andel highlighted that New Zealand has two vaccinations against bird flu registered for emergency use, emphasizing the evolving role of vaccination in disease control strategies.
Professor Phil Battley, an expert in migratory birds at Massey University, warned that while New Zealand's isolation provides some protection, the detection of bird flu in the Antarctic and its impact on mammals, such as seals, underscore the potential risks.
One conceivable pathway for cattle infection involves infected pied oystercatchers transmitting the virus to dairy cows in Canterbury. These coastal birds migrate inland to breed along the South Island's east coast, potentially bringing the virus into contact with farming areas during their breeding season from August onwards.
