Bird flu outbreak spreads

An outbreak of bird flu is spreading like a wildfire and six more cases of avian influenza (AI) have been recorded across South Africa.

The first case was recorded last month when about 300 birds died of AI on a commercial chicken egg farm in Ekurhuleni.

Izaak Breitenbach, general manager at the South African Poultry Association, said the six new cases included commercial layer birds in the East Rand, broiler breeders in the North West and the East Rand, Klipdrift layer birds in North West and broiler breeders in Cape Town. The other case is on a farm in Randfontein that still needs to be confirmed.

“This is a poultry disease that most likely spread from wild birds,” Breitenbach said.

He added water birds were also in close proximity to the majority of outbreaks.

“There is, however, no evidence yet of poultry-to-poultry transmission.”

Breitenbach said the industry had better management and control systems in place than in 2017.

“Suspected positive flocks are being quarantined by the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development and can’t be moved without a negative test result,” he said.

“Exports are taking place from negative compartments. Lesotho has banned the product from SA and Hong Kong has placed a temporary ban,” he said.

Breitenbach said the volume of birds affected had not had a significant impact on the availability of table eggs or poultry meat available in SA.