Statement by Minister of Agriculture on Suspected Avian Influenza

Suspected Avian Influenza - Western Cape Alert

The National Department of Agriculture informed us that three ostrich farms in the Cradock-, Somerset East Region in the Eastern Cape reported serious mortalities apparently due to Avian Influenza (bird flu). On request, samples were sent to the Western Cape Veterinarian Laboratories and were provisionally diagnosed as the high pathogenic AI (which caused major mortalities in the East early in 2004). The diagnosis has not been confirmed yet.

As the disease could pose a serious threat to the export of ostrich meat from the Ostrich Exports Abattoirs in the Western Cape, we have requested the Eastern Cape, not to send birds for slaughtering to the Western Cape, until we have more clarity on the infection. The EU will immediately revoke our export status should the disease spread to the Western Cape.

A meeting between the NDA and the Department of Agriculture in the Eastern Cape was held on Monday, 2 August 2004 at Bisho, in order to discuss the situation and it was confirmed that a ban was put on the movement of ostriches from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape. The situation will be re-considered once a clearer picture on the control is received from the Eastern Cape.

By the end of this week we should have a much clearer picture of the type of virus concerned as well as the extent of the infections in the Western Cape. Our most important priority is to protect the Ostrich Industry of the Western Cape. It was therefore necessary to engage with disaster management in the Province and all systems were put in place with road controls and movement monitoring in the Karoo and Oudtshoorn areas.

Enquiries: Alie van Jaarsveld
Tel: 021 483 4700
Cell: 084 604 6702
Email: avjaarsv@pgwc.gov.za

Dr Gideon Brückner
Cell: 083 641 5163