Avian influenza found on another Gauteng chicken farm
The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) has announced another outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) on a commercial chicken farm in Randfontein, in the west of Gauteng.
This brings to four the total outbreaks in Gauteng since April.
There has also been an outbreak on a commercial broiler breeder farm in the North West.
The department’s Spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo says all affected farms have been quarantined, with control measures being implemented.
“Genetic evaluation has confirmed that the outbreak reported in commercial layers on 13 of April in Gauteng and the one commercial broiler-breeders in the North West seem to have been caused by non-identical AI strains. These two outbreaks were therefore more likely to have been caused by separate introductions. It is essential for everyone across the country to remain on high alert,” says Ngcobo.
Listen to Reggie Ngcobo below:
He has urged everyone to treat any increase in mortalities (deaths) of poultry and other bird species as potential avian influenza, until proven otherwise.
“All increases in mortality rates must be reported to the state veterinarian responsible for the particular area or the relevant provincial director immediately.
“It must be mentioned that no human infection, due to these circulating strains, had been reported in Europe and thus the zoonotic risk to people is very low, the consumer has no reason to be concerned,” adds Ngcobo.
Since the outbreak of AI on 13 April 2021, all neighbouring countries have since lifted their bans on exports of live chicken and unprocessed products, except Lesotho, which has banned exports from Gauteng.
However, Hong Kong has now followed the same route as Lesotho.
“Hong Kong has notified DALRRD of a temporary suspension of the importation of all poultry (carcass, parts and offal) products (including eggs) from the affected municipalities within the Gauteng and North West,” concludes Ngcobo.
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