The Avian Influenza virus also known as Bird Flu was recently confirmed in two farms in Gauteng bringing to a total of four cases. This comes after two farms in Mpumalanga were reported of having the virus in Villiers, Standerton.
Necessary measures have been taken to contain and eliminate the disease as efficiently as possible on both farms. Tracing of cull chicken depots were identified, which had received live cull chickens from one of the affected farms in the last 21 days. A follow up was done to trace as many of these chickens as possible. The new Poultry Disease management Agency (PDMA) system of registration of persons buying and selling live chickens made it possible to trace these culls.
Increased surveillance in wild birds, commercial chickens and backyard chickens continues. Chicken owners, farmers and the public should remain vigilant and all cases of high moralities in chickens and other birds should be reported to the nearest State Veterinarian.
The public is advised to avoid any gathering of chickens for shows, auctions and similar activities. However, should such activities continue, the organisers are advised to liaise with the State Veterinary Authorities and the auction houses must also be registered with the PDMA.
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The depopulation of the two poultry sites affected in June are complete. The remains, waste material, affected eggs and manure have been contained and will be dealt with to ensure prevention of spread of the disease, as well as to prevent contamination of the environment.
Export of chickens and chicken products from registered HPAI free compartments is continuing to countries that accept guarantees from such compartments. There is good cooperation from registered compartments to increase the testing frequency to monthly testing.
Exports of raw meat, eggs and live birds from South Africa to some trade partners have been disrupted, as one of requirements for the certification is country freedom from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, which cannot be provided since 22 June 2017.
The export of products, which had been processed to ensure destruction of the virus, is also continuing, unless the trade partner has raised an objection. The H5N8 virus does not affect humans, Department of Health through the National Institute of Communicable Diseases tested workers from the affected farms and no human cases have been detected. The HPAI H5N8 viruses that have been isolated from these outbreaks are similar to the viruses isolated from Zimbabwe in June 2017 and from Egypt in 2016, which makes the likelihood of the involvement of wild bird’s high. Chicken owners and farmers are encouraged to prevent contact of their chickens with wild birds as much as possible.
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