78961 (2024). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity

78961 (2024). Hon Jo Luxton to the Minister for Biosecurity: Are there any risks to the general public from handling poultry products from areas affected by the H7N6 strain?

Hon Andrew Hoggard: It is safe to consume thoroughly cooked poultry products as avian influenza viruses are sensitive to heat treatment. Handwashing and preventing cross contamination are standard food safety advice for when it comes to preparing chicken. Currently there are no issues related to food safety and the risk to human health remains low. Also, control measures ensure that products from farms under restriction do not reach the public, and there is monitoring of the surrounding farms to ensure poultry products from these farms are not impacted.