The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI), type H5N8, in two ostrich farms in the Heidelberg area.
Avian influenza, commonly referred to as bird flu, is a controlled disease in terms of the country’s animal diseases legislation.
Farmers and poultry producers in the province have been advised to step up their biosecurity measures in order to prevent potential virus introduction from wild birds or their faeces.
According to a spokesman for the agriculture department vets detected HPAI during a routine testing last week when throat swabs tested positive.
Both farms have been under quarantine with no birds allowed to enter or leave the properties.
“To ensure the accuracy of the first test, and because the ostriches are not showing any clinical signs of the illness, vets have continued their testing campaign. There have been no reported bird deaths in the area,” said the spokesman.
Wild birds are suspected as the source of the infection that at this stage remains confined to two properties. Farms within 3km of these properties have also been placed under quarantine as a preventative measure.
Chicken and ostrich meat on sale in retail outlets is safe for human consumption. The strain of the virus has also shown no sign of being infectious to people.
