SA poultry industry still on high alert

THE SOUTH African poultry and ostrich industries remain on high alert, with strict biosecurity measures in place, the South African Poultry Association (Sapa) said on Friday.

Sapa said this was despite no new cases of avian influenza being reported since the previously confirmed cases.

An appeal has been made to hobbyist keepers of birds, including poultry, to remain vigilant and report any signs of illness in their birds to their veterinarian.

Avian influenza is an airborne virus that is not restricted to infection by contact only.

Sapa said the trade restrictions imposed by South Africa’s neighbours have either been relaxed or remained the same, with Botswana reducing its national ban to affected farms only, Namibia restricting imports from the one affected compartment on the East Rand, and Lesotho restricting imports from Gauteng.

Swaziland has restricted the affected compartment, while Mozambique has no official restrictions in place.

Sapa said it was grateful that although the financial impact on affected farms was significant and had a severe negative impact on the farmers, cases of avian influenza had not increased the past week.

According to the poultry industry body, the support of the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development and all veterinary staff involved had been invaluable.

Supplies of both poultry meat and eggs were fully stocked, as less than 1 percent of the bird stocks producing poultry meat and eggs had been affected by avian influenza to date.

Consumers were advised that poultry meat and eggs were safe to eat, and should be cooked properly according to acceptable cooking protocols, achieving temperatures above 60ºC.

Products from the affected farms have not been placed on the market.