South Africa - Bird flu again in ostriches

[Gert van der Hoek]

Bird flu hits Graaff-Reinet

Graeme Raubenheimer

Ostriches have tested positive for bird flu on a farm in Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape.

More than 800 ostriches infected with avian influenza were culled recently following an outbreak on a Mossel Bay farm.

South Africa has self-imposed a ban on ostrich exports, reportedly costing the industry millions every month.

The European Union's initial ban on ostrich exports hit the industry hard earlier in 2011 when thousands of birds were culled after an outbreak on farms in Oudtshoorn.

The EU eventually lifted the ban, but it was a matter of days before the Agriculture Department again halted exports after more ostriches tested positive for avian influenza on a Mossel Bay farm.

Agriculture spokesperson Wouter Kriel said several of the farmer's birds have been destroyed.

?It?s 820 birds and the farms in a radius of 10 kilometres surrounding that farm were also tested and no further positive tests were identified,? he said.

While the Oudtshoorn area remains under quarantine, Kriel said they will meet with the EU soon to discuss a plan of action.

eyewitnessnews

thanks to Crawford Kilian for the link

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: South Africa - Bird flu again in ostriches

Compiled by the Government Communication and Information System
Date: 02 Nov 2011

Title: Bird flu under control in EC

Pretoria - An outbreak of Avian Influenza (AI) has been swiftly brought under control in the Eastern Cape after it was detected on an ostrich farm in Teasdale, near Graaf Reinet, in October.

Eastern Cape Department of Rural Development said the birds on the farm tested positive for the Avian Influenza on 14 October and were immediately placed under quarantine - along with other farms within a radius of 10km in terms of the Animal Disease Control Act.

Birds on the Hardwood Farm, situated 6km away, were also tested but results from the laboratory showed no clinical evidence of AI. The farm is still under quarantine.

"The department has further found out that 222 ostriches were moved from Teasdale to Wapadsleegte farm in Graaf Reinet before the outbreak. The results from that farm were negative but the state vets will continue to monitor the farm monthly," spokesperson Ayabulela Ngoqo said in statement.

Under the instructions from the national department and the Veterinary Services section, the owner of Teasdale Farm is to cull all his 628 birds in a bid to control the disease.

Ngoqo said the department was committed to fulfilling its responsibility of protecting the provincial livestock against any disease of economic importance and those that are a potential threat to human health. - BuaNews

http://www.buanews.gov.za/news/11/11110212151001