Government intensifies fight against rampant bird flu threatening South Africa’s chicken supply

The South African government urged farmers to intensify biosecurity measures after an avian influenza outbreak resulted in the deaths of more than 2.6 million birds.

Six of the nation’s nine provinces have been affected by the 50 HPAI H7 and 10 HPAI H5 subtypes of the virus, the Department of Agriculture said in a statement on Monday.

Poultry producers should immediately report suspicion of the disease to state veterinarians, it said.

Avian flu usually affects wild birds but can sometimes infect commercial or domestic poultry.

While it rarely causes disease in humans, according to South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases, there’s no treatment for the birds, and the government requires farmers to cull poultry to control its spread.

Vaccines aren’t yet available in South Africa, but government talks to finalize access are at an advanced stage, and registration of the medicines will be fast-tracked.

“The criteria under which vaccination will be permitted is almost in its final development, and only farms with good biosecurity and approved to vaccinate by the department will be given permission to vaccinate,” the department said.

Egg producer Quantum Foods Holdings on Friday said the disease has so far affected approximately 1.5 million of its layer and breeding stock, which have an estimated value of R106 million.

Astral Foods, which owns brands such as Country Fair and Goldi Chicken, said its total cost associated with the current outbreak amounts to about R220 million.

Both companies warned that they will report a loss for the year through Sept. 30.

RCL Foods’ Rainbow Chicken said eight of its 19 farms in the Gauteng province have been affected by the outbreak. The current cost to the business is estimated at about R100 million, with 330,000 birds affected so far, the company said in an emailed response to questions.

Avian influenza, also known as avian flu or bird flu, usually affects wild birds but can sometimes infect commercial or domestic poultry.

While it rarely causes disease in humans, according to South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases, there’s no treatment for the birds, and the government requires farmers to cull poultry to control its spread. 

Vaccines exist for the disease, but they aren’t available in South Africa, and the industry is still negotiating with the government on how to address that issue, according to Abongile Balarane, general manager for the South African Poultry Association’s egg organization.

The association is working on an estimate for the cost of the outbreak on the whole sector, he said.