Avian flu found on second Gauteng farm

SA’s poultry industry has been dealt another blow after the outbreak of avian flu on a second farm in Gauteng.

The SA Poultry Association said the outbreak occurred on a broiler breeder farm on the East Rand.

The farm is under quarantine and the birds are being culled and disposed of under the supervision of the department of agriculture, land reform and rural development.

The first outbreak was detected in April on a farm in Gauteng, while another was reported a week later on a broiler breeder farm in the North West.

This prompted neighbouring countries, including Botswana, Namibia and Mozambique, to ban the importation of SA broilers as well as eggs. The SA Poultry Association said the latest outbreak should not materially affect the trade restrictions already in place from bordering countries.

The poultry industry is the largest segment of the agricultural sector, contributing about R50bn a year to GDP.

It is also responsible for about 110,000 jobs.

SA exports mainly to those countries, and Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Total exports amounted to R1.2bn in 2019, but the industry has been working on opening up new markets in line with the recently adopted poultry master plan.

This includes measures to boost domestic demand and the affordability of local broiler products.

Exports slowed from 2017 when some suspended poultry imports from SA after another outbreak of avian flu in the country.

The 2017 outbreak is said to have cost the industry close to R2bn that year in lost egg and broiler meat sales, as well as the actual biological losses.

There is neither a vaccine nor a treatment for avian flu.

Current practice in most regions of the world entails culling infected birds.

Humans can be infected with avian flu through direct contact with infected animals or contaminated environments.

Recent strains of avian flu detected in SA showed no sign of being infectious to people, the department has said previously.

The SA Poultry Association has said both eggs and broiler meat are safe to eat, provided they are cooked properly, at above 60°C.