'Dead chickens must be treated as potential influenza' after countries ban SA poultry
Government has urged poultry farmers to treat any animal deaths as potential avian influenza cases.
Namibia, Botswana and Lesotho have banned poultry and related raw products from areas hit by avian influenza outbreaks.
Commercial chicken farms in Ekurhuleni and Tshwane in Gauteng have reported outbreaks while a chicken parent breeder in the J.B Marks Local Municipality in the North West has also been placed under quarantine.
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"Everyone is urged to treat any increase in mortalities (deaths) of poultry and other bird species as potential avian influenza until proven otherwise," said the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in a statement on Thursday.
Government has indicated that only one of the three affected facilities export South African poultry products.
Officials also allayed fears indicating that local consumers have no reason to be concerned.
