The Western Cape Department of Agriculture has confirmed the presence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer poultry farm.

The farm has been placed under quarantine, the Western Cape government said on Sunday.
More than 10,000 chickens have already died and culling of the rest at the farm and composting of mortalities has already been started.
The virus has not yet been confirmed as H5N8, which is the strain in outbreaks in other parts of the country. The cause is most likely through contact with wild birds. Winde said the virus presents a challenge to control due to the wild birds.
Avian influenza is a viral respiratory disease amongst birds, believed to be transmitted by wild migratory birds.
It is spread by direct contact between healthy and infected birds, or through indirect contact with contaminated equipment or other materials. The virus is present in the faeces of infected birds and in discharges from their noses, mouth, and eyes.

The H5N8 strain of the disease has already wreaked havoc in the poultry industry in Zimbabwe where thousands of commercial birds have died or had to be culled.

Winder said the vets are working hard to contain the spread in the province.

Farms within a 3km zone of an infected farm will be monitored closely and subjected to the control measures as laid out by the National Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry.

Exports of poultry and poultry products have been suspended except from poultry compartments registered with DAFF, or where a country’s import permit contains clauses that are able to be signed by a certifying veterinarian.

Meanwhile, Winder said poultry products available in supermarkets and stores do not pose a risk to human health as a result of this strain of avian influenza.
Source:http:[url]//theprofarmer.com/break-bird-flu-detected-farm-south-africa/[/url]