Bird flu strain confirmed on two chicken farms in Gauteng and Mpumalanga
The Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries has confirmed the isolation of the H5N8 avian influenza strain, on two new commercial layer chicken farms in Mpumalanga and Gauteng. "Both farms have been quarantined and further control measures are being implemented to curb the spread of the disease," the South African Poultry Association said in a statement on Wednesday. These two new farms are in addition to the two farms that were infected in Mpumalanga in June, both of which have been depopulated. "This [H5N8] strain has been found not to be dangerous to humans and the birds affected are a very small percentage of the total South African chicken flock," the statement said. "At this stage there is still a limited impact on chicken and egg supply. The South African Poultry Association and the Poultry Disease Management Agency (PDMA) continue to support the efforts of South African veterinary service authorities in implementing control measures for the disease. "The registrati...
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