48957 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity

Written Question

Published date: 21 Oct 2025

Metadata

Document type:	Written Question
Parliament number:	54
Question number:	48957 (2025)
Question asked:	07 Oct 2025
Member asking:	Lan Pham
Portfolio:	Minister for Biosecurity
Minister replying:	Hon Andrew Hoggard
Answer received:	15 Oct 2025
Status:	Question Answered
Reply type:	Reply
Document ID:	WQ_48957_2025
Document guid:	486c1879-35ce-4cd6-b125-4c31b184faa1

48957 (2025). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity: What, if anything, is Biosecurity NZ's plan for addressing canine distemper virus (CDV) in New Zealand Fur Seals?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: Biosecurity New Zealand is working in partnership with the Department of Conservation to obtain samples from seal disease outbreaks as part of continued surveillance to document the extent and impact of this canine distemper strain. This strain of canine distemper virus is considered likely to have been present in New Zealand for many years – which is supported by genomics work completed by Biosecurity New Zealand and by historical antibody detection.