Bird flu outbreak ravages through South African poultry again

SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa is once again battling outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, with two poultry farms confirming infections of the H5N1 strain, according to a report by the World Organisation for Animal Health.

The virus has claimed the lives of at least 1,150 poultry birds across the two farms, with 300 birds dying on a farm in Tswaing, located in the North West province, and 850 succumbing on a site in Mkhondo in Mpumalanga province.

These are the first confirmed cases of the virus in the country since September 2023, marking a potential setback for a poultry sector still struggling to rebuild.

Last year’s widespread outbreak wiped out around one-third of South Africa’s entire chicken population, leading to massive supply disruptions and economic strain on producers.

Although the industry has been attempting to recover, concerns have persisted over the country’s preparedness to prevent another wave, particularly amid criticism surrounding the pace and execution of the national vaccination programme.

The new cases were officially disclosed to WOAH by South African veterinary authorities, who continue to monitor the affected zones.

The Paris-based organisation stated in its notification that investigations are underway to determine how the virus was introduced at both locations.

Sector recovery under threat

The resurgence is expected to renew pressure on South Africa’s agricultural and veterinary systems, especially with the industry still reeling from the effects of last year’s mass culling.

Government and industry leaders have faced scrutiny over how the vaccination campaign was rolled out, with many stakeholders warning that gaps in the response could leave the sector vulnerable.

Globally, avian flu has disrupted poultry supply chains in multiple regions, including in the United States, where repeated outbreaks have hit production, and in Brazil, which reported its first-ever case in a commercial farm earlier this year.

So far, the South African government has not disclosed any new policy changes in response to the latest cases.

The current outbreaks come at a time when food security and disease prevention are high on the agenda across the region, especially in light of rising input costs and shifting weather patterns.

Health experts have said that while the virus poses low risk to humans, it remains a major threat to commercial poultry farms, particularly where biosecurity systems are weak.

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