Second Joburg farm under quarantine following outbreak of bird flu
A second broiler breeder farm on Johannesburg’s East Rand is under quarantine following the outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The South African Poultry Association says the latest outbreak should not affect the current trade restrictions already in place.
Last month, Botswana and Mozambique have banned all poultry meat, eggs and feathers from SA, while Lesotho has banned the import of eggs from Gauteng.
Namibia has also banned all imports from the affected areas.
This highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is a notifiable disease that has to be reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which dispatches daily updates to all countries in the world.
Countries have the right to cease trade imports from any country that has been identified by the OIE as having an outbreak of a notifiable disease.
This strain of avian influenza is carried by wild birds, especially at this time of year when their natural migration northwards occur.
All persons are requested to be on the lookout for dead birds, and report these to their nearest state veterinarian.
Consumers have been assured that eggs and broiler meat products are safe to eat provided normal cooking protocols are followed.
