58124 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity

58124 (2024). Lan Pham to the Minister for Biosecurity: What resources, if any, does the Ministry for Primary Industries have to deploy for a potential incursion of avian flu?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: I am advised the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and One Health partners have a variety of resources to deploy in a highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) response such as trained response personnel, animal disease epidemiological experts, world-class diagnostics capability at the Animal Health Laboratory, on-farm support staff, Incursion Investigators and Surveillance experts, and stores of equipment including PPE. MPI is developing a range of guidelines and plans for local government, the poultry industry, backyard poultry owners, wildlife hospitals and vets, and the public, which will assist in readiness planning and response. If an incursion occurs in New Zealand, MPI will provide a range of information resources to stakeholders and local government to share with their staff and communities. This will include key messages on things such as how to report suspected cases, handling and disposing of dead birds, dealing with sick or potentially infected birds, and public health messages. MPI will also provide signage templates and advertising material for stakeholders and local government to use as needed. MPI will also work closely with councils and the poultry industry to support them in responding to an incursion, particularly in the early stages, as they will play a role in readiness and response.