Bird flu spreads in province

The presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the Western Cape caused the provincial Department of Agriculture to warn against the movement of birds within 30km of affected farms.

On Tuesday, 22 August the department confirmed the presence of bird flu in a commercial layer poultry farm in the Paardeberg region.

Earlier, three ostrich farms tested positive in Heidelberg.

“It is strongly recommended any movement of pet birds, racing pigeons, breeding birds and show birds be limited as far as possible and covered by a movement permit if coming from within 30km of an infected farm. Sick or dead birds - both wild birds and poultry - must be reported to local state vets,” the MEC of Economic Opportunities, Minister Alan Winde said.

The cause is most likely contact with wild birds. Meetings with poultry veterinarians and stakeholders such as the National Institute for Communicable Diseases have taken place.

In Paardeberg more than 10 000 chickens have already died and culling of the rest of the farm and composting of mortalities has already been started.

Control a challenge

The virus has not yet been confirmed as H5N8, which is the strain in outbreaks in other parts of the country. However, the H5 typing, and the nature of its effect on chickens, is indicative of it being the H5N8 strain.

Minister Winde said the virus presents a challenge to control due to the wild birds, but the vets are working hard to contain the spread.

“This is a priority for the poultry industry, and the entire agriculture sector. The outbreak and the current drought have made agriculture a tough space to be in. This is a particularly difficult time for those affected farms, which are important employers. This is why we ask all stakeholders to continue working with us to mitigate the impact of this outbreak on our economy.”

Meat not a risk

Poultry products available in supermarkets and stores do not pose a risk to human health as a result of this strain of avian influenza.

Avian influenza is a controlled disease in terms of the Animal Diseases Act, 35 of 1984. It is a viral respiratory disease amongst birds, believed to be transmitted by wild migratory birds. The H5N8 strain of the disease has already wreaked havoc in the poultry industry in Zimbabwe, where thousands of commercial birds have died or had to be culled.

Avian influenza is primarily spread by direct contact between healthy and infected birds, or through indirect contact with contaminated equipment or other materials. The virus is present in the faeces of infected birds and in discharges from their noses, mouth and eyes. The virus can spread into domestic flocks kept outdoors through faecal contamination from wild birds, whereas infection among indoor flocks is spread via airborne discharges and faeces.

Control measures

The following control measures have been implemented:

• Farms within a 3km zone of an infected farm will be monitored closely and subjected to the control measures as laid out by the National Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry;

• Contact details can be found at www. elsenburg.com/services-and-programmes/ veterinary-services-0#s=Animal-Health-andDisease-Control

• Exports of poultry and poultry products have been suspended except from poultry compartments registered with DAFF, or where a country’s import permit contains clauses that are able to be signed by a certifying veterinarian.

For recommendations for farmers, see www. westerncape.gov.za/news/avian-influenzaconfirmed-western-cape

‘It is strongly recommended any movement of pet birds, racing pigeons, breeding birds and show birds be limited.’