The SA Poultry Association (SAPA) is expecting to know at around midday today (April 14) whether an outbreak of H5 avian influenza at a layer egg producer on the East Rand is the highly pathogenic strain (H5N8) or low pathogenic (H5N1) strain.
SAPA issued a media release yesterday stating an outbreak had been confirmed in a commercial layer flock on the East Rand and that conclusive testing at Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute would determine the N-type.
According to Colin Steenhuisen, interim GM of the Egg Organisation of SAPA, the outbreak was only detected in one layer house on the farm and the farmer took quick action to euthanise the entire house of fowls to avoid the spread to other houses.
“The affected farm has been quarantined and the animal health departments of the national and provincial Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) have implemented the required control measures.
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“The whole industry has been placed on high alert and the appropriate biosecurity contingency plans implemented as advised, which will include a restriction on people and bird movement for both bigger companies and SMMEs.
“So far, the outbreak is contained to the one farm and SAPA is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to engage with DALRRD and other relevant stakeholders to contain the outbreak.”
SAPA said this is the first outbreak of H5 on a commercial farm in South Africa since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in 2017, which had a significant impact on the layer industry and also marginally affected the broiler industry.
There is a widespread outbreak of avian influenza virus in Europe, which was first confirmed in October.
Northern European countries have been predominantly affected; however, these outbreaks have not caused as much of a loss to the poultry industry as the previous large-scale outbreaks of 2015 and 2017, due to lessons learnt previously.
Migration
Steenhuisen explained the role of migratory wild birds in the spread of the virus has been previously proven, and containment of poultry flocks in covered environments is recommended to avoid possible contamination as far as possible.
“Migratory birds are on the move from South Africa to Europe. All are wild birds but water birds are the main concern as these often settle near farmlands along their migratory route and can contaminate the water sources with their faeces or carcasses.
“This water is then used in poultry houses and if contaminated can very quickly be contracted by the fowls and cause a high mortality rate in a short period,” he said.
“The World Health Organisation and the World Organisation of Animal Health have been advised and confirmed this strain of the virus has been found to not be dangerous to humans, and in the isolated cases where transmission has occurred, it could be treated effectively.
“Consumers are reminded that meat and eggs on the shelves are safe for consumption as long as normal food-safety steps are followed when preparing meals.
“Poultry meat stocks in the country are sufficient due to increased production during the last 18 months, and to an extent a reduction in consumption of poultry meat during the pandemic.”
SAPA requests the cooperation of all relevant parties to prevent the further spread of this outbreak and to enhance the disease-management efforts.
Producers are urged to remain vigilant and ensure biosecurity measures are adhered to in order to reduce the risk of infection.
The public is requested to report any sightings of mortalities in backyard chickens or wild birds to their nearest state veterinarian.
Steenhuisen said the media will be updated as soon as they have the results from Onderstepoort today.
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