Food Safety Minister Andrew Hoggard stated, "For trade purposes we have to say for a number of countries that we are free of high pathogen avian influenza...Once we are able to say that again then we'll be working to restore that trade." This highlights the importance of maintaining New Zealand's trade status amidst the bird flu crisis.
Biosecurity New Zealand deputy director-general Stuart Anderson said, "While it is not the H5N1 type circulating among wildlife around the world that has caused concern, we are taking the find seriously...the strain found on the New Zealand farm is unlikely to be transmitted to mammals." His insight into strain differences is key in assessing risk.
Anderson also expressed, "Concerns about bird flu have risen as the H5N1 strain of the virus has spread throughout US poultry and dairy farms...health officials are on the watch for any indications of spread among humans." This reflects the global vigilance required in monitoring avian influenza.
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