Western Cape asks farmers to remain vigilant of Avian flu

The Western Cape Government has called on poultry producers to remain vigilant against the avian flu outbreak.

The province says it has not recorded new infections of the virus since June. However, the virus is spreading in other parts of the country.

Economists say the poultry industry makes a significant contribution to the country’s economy.

Dr Laura Roberts, State Veterinarian: Epidemiology with the Western Cape Department of Agriculture, said that in the seven outbreaks, 1 569 702 birds had been exposed to the virus adding that 1 398 757 were culled.

“In the past three months the Western Cape hasn’t experienced any further outbreaks in the commercial poultry industry. Five of the outbreaks reported in the period between April and June were resolved. Whilst under quarantine, the farms had been depopulated, cleaned and disinfected twice with the State Veterinarian’s inspection. The quarantine was lifted, and the outbreaks were reported as resolved and disclosed to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) and the World Organisation of Animal Health (WOHA) respectively", added Dr Roberts.

 

Done by: Alungile Njemla