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South Africa - H5, H5N1 avian flu in wild birds - 2024-2026
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/https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Cape
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Alert: Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) detected in SEABIRDS

The highly pathogenic H5 strain of Avian Influenza has once again been detected in seabirds along the Western Cape coastline.
Seabirds affected thus far during the current outbreak: Hartlaub’s Gulls near Cape Town and Great White Pelicans near Malmesbury. These are the first detections of HPAI in wild birds in the Western Cape since April 2024 and the first reports of mass mortalities since late 2022.
What to look out for:
Infected birds may display neurological symptoms such as head tremors, twitching, and loss of coordination. They may appear dazed, unbalanced, or unusually tame. Affected birds may struggle to breathe, lose the ability to fly, or be seen flapping weakly on land or in shallow water.
What you can do:
If you come across any sick or dead seabirds on the beach:- Do not touch the birds.
- Take a photo or short video, if possible.
- Note the location, number of birds, and species (if known).
- Report the sighting via WhatsApp with a location pin: 072 598 7117 or Email: penguin@dict.org.za
Your report will help us monitor and manage the spread of this virus.
What is being done:
Seabird colonies and rehabilitation centres across the coastline are actively monitoring the situation. All necessary biosecurity and containment protocols have been implemented. Cross-sector collaboration is aiding further disease surveillance and research.
Can the disease be treated?
Unfortunately, there is no cure or treatment for Avian Influenza in wild birds. Culling or disturbing habitats is not effective and may worsen the situation.
How it spreads:
Avian Influenza spreads through direct contact between infected and healthy birds. The virus is found in the secretions from the mouth, nose, and eyes, and in the droppings of infected birds.
Risk to humans and pets:
The risk to humans is very low, but precaution is essential:- If you spot a seabird in trouble, contact the rescue line for advice.
- Do not handle dead birds.
- Keep pets, especially dogs, away from carcasses.
August 6th, 2025|
The highly pathogenic H5 strain of Avian Influenza has once again been detected in seabirds along the Western Cape coastline. Seabirds affected thus far during the current outbreak: Hartlaub’s Gulls near Cape Town and Great White Pelicans near Malmesbury. These are the first detections of HPAI in wild
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South Africa - Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Follow up report 16
GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
ZONE
ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL
DISEASE CATEGORY
Listed disease
EVENT ID
5034
DISEASE
Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-)
CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
Untyped or partially typed
START DATE
2023/03/08
REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease
DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2023/02/27
CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/04/25
EVENT STATUS
On-going
END DATE- SELF-DECLARATION
NO REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 16
REPORT ID
FUR_167484
REPORT REFERENCE
HPAI_H5_W_2023_FU16
REPORT DATE
2024/05/28
REPORT STATUS
Validated
NO EVOLUTION REPORT
EPIDEMIOLOGY
SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION- Unknown or inconclusive
Coordinates modified to protect confidentiality as required by South African Legislation. H5 has been identified, N identification is ongoing.
QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY
MEASURING UNIT
Animal
SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated Wildlife (species unspecified) (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-182000 Egyptian Goose (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-10100 Gray Crowned-Crane (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-4040000 Birds (DOMESTIC)NEW------TOTAL63124500 Rock Pigeon (Rock Dove) (WILD)NEW------TOTAL1204040000 Pied crow (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-11000 African black oystercatcher (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-10100 Kelp Gull (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-31200 Cape cormorant (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-30300 Jackass Penguin (WILD)NEW------TOTAL27001510400 Common Tern (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-83500 Swift tern (WILD)NEW-10100TOTAL-94791500 All speciesNEW-10100TOTAL28832361803600
DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS
CLINICAL SIGNS
YES
METHOD OF DIAGNOSTIC
Clinical, Diagnostic testhttps://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5034Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) Wildlife (species unspecified) 1 2023/04/25 2023/04/25 Positive
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South Africa - Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Follow up report 15
GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
ZONE
ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL
DISEASE CATEGORY
Listed disease
EVENT ID
5034
DISEASE
Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-)
CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
Untyped or partially typed
START DATE
2023/03/08
REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease
DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2023/02/27
CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/04/25
EVENT STATUS
On-going
END DATE- SELF-DECLARATION
NO REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 15
REPORT ID
FUR_166779
REPORT REFERENCE
HPAI_H5_W_2023_FU15
REPORT DATE
2024/04/04
REPORT STATUS
Validated
NO EVOLUTION REPORT
EPIDEMIOLOGY
SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION- Unknown or inconclusive
Coordinates modified to protect confidentiality as required by South African Legislation. H5 has been identified, N identification is ongoing.
QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY
MEASURING UNIT
Animal
SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated Wildlife (species unspecified) (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-182000 Egyptian Goose (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-10100 Gray Crowned-Crane (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-4040000 Birds (DOMESTIC)NEW------TOTAL63124500 Rock Pigeon (Rock Dove) (WILD)NEW------TOTAL1204040000 Pied crow (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-11000 African black oystercatcher (WILD)NEW-10100TOTAL-10100 Kelp Gull (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-31200 Cape cormorant (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-30300 Jackass Penguin (WILD)NEW-106400TOTAL27001510400 Common Tern (WILD)NEW-11000TOTAL-83500 Swift tern (WILD)NEW-8172900TOTAL-93791400 All speciesNEW-93791400TOTAL28832351803500
DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS
CLINICAL SIGNS
YES
METHOD OF DIAGNOSTIC
Clinical, Diagnostic testhttps://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5034Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) Wildlife (species unspecified) 1 2023/04/25 2023/04/25 Positive
Leave a comment:
-
South Africa - Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Follow up report 14
GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
ZONE
ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL
DISEASE CATEGORY
Listed disease
EVENT ID
5034
DISEASE
Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-)
CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
Untyped or partially typed
START DATE
2023/03/08
REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease
DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2023/02/27
CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/04/25
EVENT STATUS
On-going
END DATE - SELF-DECLARATION
NO REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 14
REPORT ID
FUR_165173
REPORT REFERENCE
HPAI_H5_W_2023_FU14
REPORT DATE
2024/01/22
REPORT STATUS
Validated
NO EVOLUTION REPORT
EPIDEMIOLOGY
SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION- Unknown or inconclusive
Coordinates modified to protect confidentiality as required by South African Legislation. H5 has been identified, N identification is ongoing.
QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY
MEASURING UNIT
Animal
SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated Wildlife (species unspecified) (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-182000 Egyptian Goose (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-10100 Gray Crowned-Crane (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-4040000 Birds (DOMESTIC)NEW------TOTAL63124500 Rock Pigeon (Rock Dove) (WILD)NEW------TOTAL1204040000 Pied crow (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-11000 Kelp Gull (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-31200 Cape cormorant (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-30300 Jackass Penguin (WILD)NEW270022000TOTAL270054000 Common Tern (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-72500 Swift tern (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-127500 All speciesNEW270022000TOTAL28831421012100
DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS
CLINICAL SIGNS
YES
METHOD OF DIAGNOSTIC
Clinical, Diagnostic testhttps://wahis.woah.org/#/in-review/5034Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) Wildlife (species unspecified) 1 2023/04/25 2023/04/25 Positive
Leave a comment:
-
South Africa - H5, H5N1 avian flu in wild birds - 2024-2026
South Africa - Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-) - Follow up report 13
GENERAL INFORMATION
COUNTRY/TERRITORY OR ZONE
ZONE
ANIMAL TYPE
TERRESTRIAL
DISEASE CATEGORY
Listed disease
EVENT ID
5034
DISEASE
Influenza A viruses of high pathogenicity (Inf. with) (non-poultry including wild birds) (2017-)
CAUSAL AGENT
Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus
GENOTYPE / SEROTYPE / SUBTYPE
Untyped or partially typed
START DATE
2023/03/08
REASON FOR NOTIFICATION
Recurrence of an eradicated disease
DATE OF LAST OCCURRENCE
2023/02/27
CONFIRMATION DATE
2023/04/25
EVENT STATUS
On-going
END DATE - SELF-DECLARATION
NO REPORT INFORMATION
REPORT NUMBER
Follow-up report 13
REPORT ID
FUR_164758
REPORT REFERENCE
HPAI_H5_W_2023_FU13
REPORT DATE
2024/01/03
REPORT STATUS
Validated
NO EVOLUTION REPORT
EPIDEMIOLOGY
SOURCE OF EVENT OR ORIGIN OF INFECTION- Unknown or inconclusive
Coordinates modified to protect confidentiality as required by South African Legislation. H5 has been identified, N identification is ongoing.
QUANTITATIVE DATA SUMMARY
MEASURING UNIT
Animal
SpeciesSusceptibleCasesDeathsKilled and Disposed ofSlaughtered/ Killed for commercial useVaccinated Wildlife (species unspecified) (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-182000 Egyptian Goose (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-10100 Gray Crowned-Crane (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-4040000 Birds (DOMESTIC)NEW722500TOTAL63124500 Rock Pigeon (Rock Dove) (WILD)NEW------TOTAL1204040000 Pied crow (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-11000 Kelp Gull (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-31200 Cape cormorant (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-30300 Jackass Penguin (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-32000 Common Tern (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-72500 Swift tern (WILD)NEW------TOTAL-127500 All speciesNEW722500TOTAL183140992100
DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS
CLINICAL SIGNS
YES
METHOD OF DIAGNOSTIC
Clinical, Diagnostic testReverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (OVI) Wildlife (species unspecified) 1 2023/04/25 2023/04/25 Positive
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