While no cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza have been reported from poultry farms in the Western Cape since June 2023, poultry producers have been urged to maintain strict biosecurity measures to avoid virus introduction from wild birds.
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Following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) strain H7 in the provinces of Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Free State and Limpopo, Western Cape poultry owners are being urged to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of HPAI to their region. Dr Ivan Meyer, the Western Cape’s minister of agriculture, has issued a warning that the H5N1 HPAI virus, which caused seven outbreaks in the Western Cape between April and June 2023, remains a threat via wild birds.
Minister Meyer commented, ‘While no cases have been reported from poultry farms in the Western Cape since June 2023, we must remain alert. Biosecurity is the cornerstone of disease prevention, and farmers and poultry producers should continue to be vigilant in their biosecurity measures to prevent potential virus introduction from wild birds or their faeces.’
Dr Laura Roberts, a state veterinarian specialising in epidemiology with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, revealed that a total of 1 569 702 birds were exposed to the virus during the seven outbreaks, with 1 398 757 of them culled.
Dr. Roberts added, ‘In the past three months, the Western Cape hasn’t experienced any further outbreaks in the commercial poultry industry. Five of the outbreaks reported in the period between April and June were resolved. While under quarantine, the farms had been depopulated, cleaned and disinfected twice with the state veterinarian’s inspection. The quarantine was lifted, and the outbreaks were reported as resolved and disclosed to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOHA), respectively.’
Poultry holds a significant position in South Africa’s agricultural sector, contributing substantially to the nation’s agricultural economy. According to agricultural economists in the Western Cape, the gross value (GVA) of the broiler industry increased to R59 billion in 2022, up from R47 billion in 2019, while the gross value of the layer industry grew from R10.6 billion in 2019 to R12.6 billion by the end of 2022.
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Minister Meyer stressed the importance of the poultry industry in generating both direct and indirect employment opportunities within the South African economy, stating, ‘In 2022, the poultry industry created an estimated number of over 52 030 direct jobs. The national employment estimates for job distribution in the broiler industry in 2020 were: hatchery and rearing industry employed 16 289 people; the processing sector employed 31 005 people; and the broiler distribution industry employed 6 831 people.’
The minister emphasised the importance of passive and active surveillance in combating avian influenza. Passive surveillance entails reporting any irregularities encountered in poultry farming, such as clinical signs of avian influenza, increased mortality rates or decreased egg production. Active surveillance entails random sampling of all poultry establishments, including backyard and commercial poultry operations, on a regular basis.
Dr Roberts suggested several general practices to prevent disease transmission between farms, including discouraging interprovincial bird movement, introducing only healthy poultry onto properties, and keeping new birds separated for two weeks. Furthermore, precautions such as disinfecting vehicles, using footbaths to disinfect footwear and avoiding contact between poultry and wild birds and their bodily fluids are critical.
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While the risk of avian influenza transmission to humans remains low, the Western Cape Department of Agriculture advised the public to avoid handling dead birds.
Minister Meyer noted, ‘Poultry products from grocery stores are safe for human consumption. We do, however, advise caution when handling or slaughtering potentially infected poultry; gloves, a mask and eye protection should be worn. It is also very important to report sick or dead birds – both wild birds and poultry – to local authorities (veterinary services, public health officials, community leaders, etc.).’
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