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Avian flu contained at Cape farm
July 03 2006 at 12:34PM
An ostrich farm about 30 kilometres west of Mossel Bay has been placed under quarantine after the precautionary culling of sixty ostriches suspected of having avian influenza.
The department of agriculture said swift reaction by private veterinarians and laboratories ensured the outbreak was rapidly reported to government.
Fortunately the viral outbreak was not related to the deadly H5N1 strain that has caused massive bird - especially chicken - culling and even human fatalities, in the Far East, Europe and Northern Africa.
In a statement, the department said tests done over the weekend at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute confirmed the H5N2 strain detected near Mossel Bay was similar to the one that South Africa "successfully" eradicated in May 2004.
"South African ostrich and poultry meat remains safe for consumption," read the statement.
Should the outbreak be successfully contained the country's export status for ostriches and poultry will not be affected.
Departmental spokesperson Steve Galane said trading partners such as the European Union had been notified of the outbreak and talks were continuing to reassure them that outbreak was contained. - Sapa
July 03 2006 at 12:34PM
An ostrich farm about 30 kilometres west of Mossel Bay has been placed under quarantine after the precautionary culling of sixty ostriches suspected of having avian influenza.
The department of agriculture said swift reaction by private veterinarians and laboratories ensured the outbreak was rapidly reported to government.
Fortunately the viral outbreak was not related to the deadly H5N1 strain that has caused massive bird - especially chicken - culling and even human fatalities, in the Far East, Europe and Northern Africa.
In a statement, the department said tests done over the weekend at the Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute confirmed the H5N2 strain detected near Mossel Bay was similar to the one that South Africa "successfully" eradicated in May 2004.
"South African ostrich and poultry meat remains safe for consumption," read the statement.
Should the outbreak be successfully contained the country's export status for ostriches and poultry will not be affected.
Departmental spokesperson Steve Galane said trading partners such as the European Union had been notified of the outbreak and talks were continuing to reassure them that outbreak was contained. - Sapa
