The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural development would like to update the nation on the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). To date a total of five HPAI outbreaks were confirmed in commercial chicken farms in the Western Cape Province.
All affected farms have been immediately placed under quarantine and no live animals/birds and eggs are allowed to be removed from the farm. The Department would like to reassure consumers that commercial poultry meat and eggs are safe to eat. Care should however be taken when preparing food to avoid other food-borne pathogens.
Birds infected with HPAI get sick fairly quickly and die. Generally the first sign of sick animals, including birds, is drop in production, meaning that sick birds will produce very few (if any) eggs. This, together with the added mitigation of placing farms under quarantine, means no eggs from infected properties will make their way to shelves.
“We strongly encourage all poultry farmers including those with birds kept as a hobby or for zoo purposes to adhere to strict biosecurity measures to prevent the introduction of HPAI” We also urge farmers and individuals to report any suspect outbreak must be to the responsible private or state veterinarian.
