Egg Producers Federation New Zealand
  • Home
  • About Eggs
    • About EPF
    • About Layer Hens
    • Education Resources
    • Contact Us
    • Useful Links
    • Glossary
    • Did You Know?
  • Farming Eggs
    • Egg Farming in NZ
    • Meet our Farmers
    • Farming Types
      • The Colony Cage Environment
      • Barn
      • Free-Range
      • Conventional cages
      • Backyard
    • The Code of Welfare (updated 2018)
    • Farming Standards
    • Caring for Hens
    • Starting a Commercial Farm
  • Eating Eggs
    • Affordable Nutrition
    • Buying Quality Eggs
    • Egg Labelling
    • Eating & Cooking
  • Egg News
    • Media Statements
    • Comments & Opinions
    • Video & Images
    • Publications, Reports and Statistics
  • Good Eggs
    • Farming Standards
      • RMP
    • Welfare Science
    • Biosecurity & Bird Health
    • Training & Development
  • Sign In

Home» News » International Study: Chickens pose no SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) risk to human health

International Study: Chickens pose no SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) risk to human health

Posted April 7, 2020

Dear Vet Tech Committee member

 

FYI please find below and attached a press release being circulated to media today. A copy is also being placed on the EPF and PIANZ websites.

 

Tuesday 7 April 2020

International Study proves chickens cannot carry the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus, posing NO risk to human health

The Poultry Industry Association of New Zealand (and Egg Producers Federation) are pleased to be able to reassure Kiwi consumers that all New Zealand eggs and chicken meat is safe to consume as usual.

A leading German institute dedicated to research into virus disease in animals has just completed initial research into the transmission capability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus from specific animals to humans. SARS-CoV-2 manifests as the Covid-19 virus in humans.

The study tested infection in chickens, pigs, fruit bats and ferrets. It found that under experimental conditions neither chickens nor pigs were susceptible to infection with SARS-CoV-2.  It concluded that because of this, chickens do not post a risk to human health.

The International Poultry Council has informed the Poultry Institute Association of New Zealand of the Friedrich-Loeffle-Institut findings which clearly show chickens pose no risk of carrying, and therefore transmitting the disease which can manifest in humans as Covid-19.  This pertains to chickens kept in close proximity to humans as farm animals, and those commercially bred to produce eggs or chicken meat for human consumption.

The study showed fruit bats and ferrets were susceptible to infection of the virus however, where it replicated well and could be transmitted to fellow animals in their species.

Further information on the study can be found in the following link.

https://www.fli.de/en/press/press-releases/press-singleview/novel-coronavirus-sars-cov-2-fruit-bats-and-ferrets-are-susceptible-pigs-and-chickens-are-not/

 

 

 

 

 

 

Email

Latest News

  • No cage eggs to be produced after 31 December 2022
  • MPI Press Release re No Further Salmonella Enteritidis Detected
  • Food Item Cost Per Gram Protein Comparison (updated December 2022)
  • Rapid Antigen Testing (RAT) – Stockists

    Meet Our Farmers

    • Chris Martin, Wairarapa Eggs

      Chris Martin of Wairarapa Eggs aspires to provide the perfect egg for whatever his customers need it for. The perfect...

    • Laurie Horsfall, Hawkes Bay Eggs

      At Hawkes Bay Eggs the farm is a true family business. Between Laurie, his wife, two daughters and son, all...

    • Karen Kelly, Glenpark

      Karen could be best described as Glenpark’s ‘mother hen’. As farm manager in charge of more than 20 full and...

    • Graeme Napier, Henergy

      Graeme is somewhat of a farming pioneer in New Zealand, having been inspired to introduce modern barn farming to the...

    About the Egg Producers Federation

    The Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand Inc. (EPF) represents the interests of all the commercial egg producers in this country.

    Helpful Links

    • I Love Eggs (Inc)
    • Ministry for Primary Industries
    • NZ Feed Manufacturers Association
    • Poultry Industry Association New Zealand
    • WorkSafe New Zealand

    Have a Question? Contact Us

    • +64 09 520 4300
    • +64 09 520 1553
    • [email protected]

    © 2017 Egg Producers Federation New Zealand