No determination yet on strain of avian influenza at East Rand egg farm
The public is requested to report any sightings of mortalities in backyard chickens or wild birds to their nearest state veterinarian.
The SA Poultry Association (SAPA) has not yet received the results from Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute to confirm the strain of H5 avian influenza which was detected at an East Rand egg producer on April 14.
These results will determine whether it is an outbreak of the highly pathogenic strain (H5N8) or low pathogenic (H5N1) strain.
According to Colin Steenhuisen, interim GM of the Egg Organisation of SAPA, the Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) said the results may only be available next week.
“Obviously, this is frustrating as we were promised the results at midday yesterday (April 14), but we have been assured all efforts are being made to speed up the delivery of the results,” he said.
ALSO READ:
Confirmed case of avian influenza at East Rand egg producer
“The entire industry remains in a state of high alert and the farm at which the outbreak was detected remains in full quarantine with all the appropriate biosecurity contingency plans implemented.”
The industry alert includes a restriction on people and bird movement for both bigger companies and SMMEs.
The outbreak was only detected in one layer house on the East Rand farm and the farmer took quick action to euthanise the entire house of fowls to avoid the spread to other houses.
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.
“Consumers are reminded that poultry 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,” said Steenhuisen.
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 followed 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.
ALSO READ:
