The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 was confirmed in a broiler breeder site in Mpumalanga this week.
In a statement Saturday, the Department said that “HPAI is a rapidly spreading viral disease that can infect many types of birds and it is highly contagious.”
Spokesperson, Bomikazi Molapo, said “it exists naturally in many birds and can be transmitted by coming into contact with infected animals or through ingestion of infected food or water.”
She said that the affected farm have been quarantined and culling of the affected animals has been completed.
“The department is conducting forward and backward tracing to trace movement of all poultry in and out of the farm in order to establish the source of the Influenza. The department has established a 30km control zone in Mpumalanga and Free State,” Molapo said.
“The two Provinces are conducting surveillance in the 30km control zone for other potentially affected properties. All provinces have been notified and are on high alert,” she said.
Molapo said that to date no human case of infection with the avian influenze H5N8 have been reported, but she said people handling wild birds, sick or dying poultry must wear protective clothing and wash their hands with disinfectants.
“Meat from healthy poultry is safe for consumption as it is subjected to strict meat inspection processes at abattoirs. We urge people to avoid consumption of birds found dead, dying or sick,” Molapo said.
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries said that the following control measures have been implemented to prevent spread of disease:
(Statement: Supplied)
