A new strain of bird flu was identified on an ostrich farm in the Oudtshoorn area earlier this month, but authorities say the Eastern Cape is safe for now.
According to Western Cape Agriculture MEC Gerrit van Rensburg, the source of the infection has not yet been established but intensive investigations are underway.
All affected farms and birds within a three-kilometre radius of the outbreak were quarantined and no infections have been reported in the Eastern Cape.
A new strain of bird flu was identified on an ostrich farm in the Oudtshoorn area earlier this month, but authorities say the Eastern Cape is safe for now.
According to Western Cape Agriculture MEC Gerrit van Rensburg, the source of the infection has not yet been established but intensive investigations are underway.
All affected farms and birds within a three-kilometre radius of the outbreak were quarantined and no infections have been reported in the Eastern Cape.
Since April 2011 a ban has prevented ostrich meat from being exported from South Africa and the
According to Ronsia Viljoen, chairperson of the Eastern Cape Ostrich Producers Association, the identification of yet another strain of bird flu in ostriches could set the local ostrich industry back another year in terms of exporting fresh ostrich meat.
The meat is still sold within South Africa, but two weeks before being slaughtered each and every ostrich is checked for any signs of infection and undergoes blood tests. This prevents contaminated meat from entering the South African market.
“The ostrich industry in the Eastern Cape is lucky to have very professional and proficient veterinary services which operate according to very strict regulations,” Viljoen said.
She is however worried about the future of the ostrich industry while the ban on international meat sales remains unlifted.
This constitutes 55% of its revenue, she said.
“Leather and feather products can be exported, but the industry relies on the whims of fashion, resulting in a much smaller and unpredictable source of income.”
