Avian flu: SAPA to import liquid and powdered eggs to reduce shortages
Images/AFP (Photo by Brandon Bell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
Avian flu detected in Western Cape, 120 000 birds culled
An outbreak of avian flu has been confirmed at two poultry farms in the Western Cape, resulting in the culling of approximately 120k birds.
Avian flu: SAPA to import liquid and powdered eggs to reduce shortages
Images/AFP (Photo by Brandon Bell / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)
The provincial Agriculture MEC Ivan Meyer confirmed that avian flu had been detected at two poultry farms in the Western Cape.
Risk to humans remains low
According to SABC News, Meyer said the flu strain is unknown at this stage. Approximately 120 000 birds have died since the outbreak was confirmed last week.
The infected birds were culled as quickly as possible – as is standard practice – as there is no vaccine or treatment for the avian flu. Meyer told the broadcaster the risk of humans being infected with the avian flu remains low.
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Members of the public are advised to refrain from touching any dead birds.
Highly pathogenic avian flu also reported in Western Cape in 2021
In 2021, several countries banned imported poultry products from South Africa due to an outbreak of bird flu in the country.
READ: Avian Flu: Namibia is the latest country to ban poultry from SA
At that time, the Western Cape announced the outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian flu at a broiler breeder in Worcester.
“The virus is present in the faeces of infected birds and discharges from their noses and eyes. Domestic birds can be infected through faecal contamination of the environment from wild birds or by indirect contact with infected poultry on other premises,” said a Western Cape spokesperson.
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