First Case of Avian Influenza Detected in Western Cape Poultry Farm

The Western Cape government has announced the first case of high pathogenic H7 avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in the province. The case emerged at a poultry farm in the George area, which is now under strict quarantine.

The news came to light through a statement released on Friday by Agricultural MEC, Dr Ivan Meyer, who described the event as "very unfortunate and a blow to the Western Cape poultry industry". The outbreak, according to Meyer, followed the introduction of chickens from an infected northern province.

In response to this alarming development, birds on the identified farm have already been culled. Meyer appealed to all poultry owners within the Western Cape to elevate their biosecurity measures to the highest possible level. He urged caution surrounding the introduction of any new chickens to existing flocks, and stressed the importance of restricting visitor and vehicle access to poultry farms.

Meyer emphasized, "The movement of chickens from infected provinces should be prevented to mitigate contagion. Additional H7 HPAI detections can have a severe, widespread impact on the entirety of the Western Cape province."

He warned that the H5N1 HPAI virus, previously responsible for seven outbreaks in the Western Cape from April to June 2023, is still an ongoing threat. "Despite no further outbreaks in the past three months within our commercial poultry sector, it's crucial to stay alert, as the H5N1 threat remains," he concluded.

Dr Noluvuyo Magadla, State Veterinarian and Director of Animal Health, has urged poultry owners to maintain strict compliance with general recommendations to prevent disease transmission between farms.