VetSalus News Roundup - June

The Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI) in New Zealand recently announced the lifting of restrictions on a large poultry farm in Otago. In December 2024, an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) was announced [1], which was quickly identified as the less virulent H7N6 strain, rather than the more dangerous H5N1 strain, which has been sweeping the world in recent years, causing the deaths of many millions of birds, both wild and domesticated. In New Zealand, a rapid response to the infection, which involved the humane euthanasia of 200,000 birds and a large-scale disinfection program, appears to have eliminated the virus but final certainty can only come after restocking, which has now commenced.

Biosecurity Minister Andrew Hoggard said the collaborative approach was key to the eradication [2].  "This was the first detection of HPAI in New Zealand and it tested some of the plans that are being developed for the arrival of HPAI H5N1. It certainly provides a timely reminder that all New Zealanders have a role to play in being prepared and that is through strong biosecurity as an essential first line of defence.”

The reminder is timely as discussions are currently underway on an operational agreement between farmers and MPI about the control strategy for Foot and Mouth disease. The New Zealand economy depends on its ability to trade internationally, with meat and dairy products forming around 40% of the country’s exports. A strategy document was developed in 2018 and is constantly revised [3]; recent meetings have been held with farmer groups to discuss how, in the unlikely event of an outbreak, the costs of eradication would be shared.

Meanwhile in the USA, HPAI continues to cause concern. VetSalus has been highlighting the situation in that country for some time (see previous articles [4]). The spread of the virus within the dairy industry has been steadily growing and it is the increasing infection rate of humans, in contact with cattle or milk, that gives the greatest cause for concern. In the last 30 days there have been 47 new outbreaks in dairy herds, in 3 states [5]. Seventeen states have now reported cases in dairy herds. The risk to the human population is still rated low and only one human death has occurred to date. However, with the virus still spreading and with every mammalian infection providing an opportunity for viral mutation, particularly a mutation that might introduce human to human transmission, the situation remains very serious.

The U.S. Centre for Disease Control (CDC) continues to monitor the infection using its flu surveillance systems [6] but there are growing concerns that the new political climate in that country could have an impact on the release of research about influenza and other infectious diseases. Several media agencies have recently reported that political pressure from the White House is impacting upon freedom to publish; See for example CBS news [7]. The CDC has an international reputation for quality science and its publications are among the most cited in the scientific world.

On a lighter note, researchers at Massey University have been sequencing the genome of some of New Zealand’s working dogs in an attempt to identify inherited traits that enhance health and working ability. Working dogs, like ‘Huntaways’ and ‘Heading dogs’, which are both New Zealand specific breeds, still play a very important role on many sheep and beef farms and their health and wellbeing is an important issue. The research project [8], has the allowed comparison of the genomes of several hundred dogs with international standards. Some interesting traits have been identified, including one which may limit the absorption of Vitamin B12. The research, which is continuing, promises a route to the elimination of undesirable traits which could lead to the prevention of diseases, an outcome supported by the VetSalus team.