Seabird sanctuaries on alert after avian flu outbreak
SEABIRD sanctuaries in the Eastern and Western Cape have implemented stricter bio-security measures to protect several species from an outbreak of avian flu.
The Department of Environmental Affairs said yesterday they were implementing stringent measures at various seabird rehabilitation centres.
This is to counteract the spreading of the H5N8 strain of avian influenza which is currently affecting species including swift terns, African penguins and Cape gannets along the coastline.
“The swift terns seem to be more affected than many other species,” the department said.
It has decided to halt all research activities that involve the handling of seabirds in an attempt to prevent the disease – the same strain reported in the poultry industry last year – from spreading.
Rehabilitation centres are also exercising extra precautions.
Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob) veterinarian Dr David Roberts said the organisation did not view the current situation as a crisis.
“Since the outbreak of this virus in 2017, we have been monitoring new cases for signs of the disease,” he said. “At present, the number of deaths from bird flu is small compared to the population size.”
However, Roberts was concerned at how the virus might affect endangered species, such as the African penguins.
“We may decide to treat endangered species, but we’d have to look at the threat to other birds, because the threat might be too high.
“We’re keeping extra bio-security measures in place until the disease has lifted.”
These measures include testing birds for the virus before admitting them and releasing them.
“Our policy at the moment is not to admit any swift terns, and some have been humanely put down after testing positive for the virus.”
Meanwhile, rangers from SANParks have been taking precautions after two swift terns off Seal Island, part of the Bird Island group and under SANParks’ control, tested positive for avian flu.
“So far only the tern population has been affected,” SANParks spokeswoman Fayroush Ludick said. “Our rangers continue to monitor all the populations on the islands.”