An outbreak of H5 avian influenza has been confirmed in a commercial layer flock on the East Rand of Johannesburg. The N-type will be known on 14 April after conclusive testing at Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute.

The SA Poultry Association reports that the farm has been quarantined and the animal health departments of the national and provincial Department of Agriculture Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) have implemented the required control measures.

The whole industry has been placed on high alert and the appropriate biosecurity contingency plans implemented as advised, which will include a restriction on people and bird movement for both bigger companies and SMME’s. This is the first outbreak of avian influenza (H5) on a commercial farm in South Africa since the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in 2017, which had a significant impact on the layer industry and also marginally affected the broiler industry.

So far the outbreak is contained to the one farm and the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) is monitoring the situation closely and will continue to engage with DALRRD and other relevant stakeholders to contain the outbreak. There is currently a widespread outbreak of avian influenza virus in Europe, which was first confirmed in October 2020.

Northern European countries have been predominantly affected, however these outbreaks have not caused as much of a loss to the poultry industry as the previous large-scale outbreaks of 2015 and 2017, due to lessons learnt previously. The role of migratory wild birds in the spread of the virus has been previously proven, and containment of poultry flocks in covered environments is recommended to avoid possible contamination as far as possible.

The World Health Organisation and the World Organisation of Animal Health have been advised and confirmed that this strain of the virus has been found to not be dangerous to humans, and in the isolated cases where transmission has occurred, it could be treated effectively.

Consumers are reminded that meat and eggs on the shelves are safe for consumption as long as normal food-safety steps are followed when preparing meals. Poultry meat stocks in the country are sufficient due to increased production during the last year and a half, and to an extent a reduction in consumption of poultry meat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

SAPA requests the cooperation of all relevant parties to prevent further spread of this outbreak, and to enhance the disease-management efforts. Producers are urged to remain vigilant and ensure that biosecurity measures are adhered to in order to reduce the risk of infection. The public is requested to report any sightings of mortalities in backyard chickens or wild birds, to their nearest state veterinarian.

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