Avian Flu Strikes South African Ostriches

CAPE TOWN, South Africa, August 12, 2004 (ENS) - Avian influenza has killed more than 6,000 ostriches on two farms in the Eastern Cape Province, the first time that the virus has appeared on the African continent. Agriculture and health officials have quarantined 15 farms near the town of Middleton and are killing any birds that are found to be infected.

Authorities have identified the strain of flu virus as H5N2, which is different from the H5N1 strain that has devastated poultry across eight Asian countries this year. This virus is thought to be less deadly, but South African animal health officials are taking no chances.

Dr. Emily Mmamakgaba Mogajane, assistant director general, National Regulatory Services, National Department of Agriculture says all poultry in the area, including ostriches, may be slaughtered, and destroyed, as a precautionary measure.

Ostriches are the largest of birds, growing to eight feet in height and weighing up to 400 pounds. (Photo credit unknown)

Movement restrictions are enforced by a road block cordon around the area, and the public is advised not to take any poultry - including ostriches, birds, and other fowl or their products, including eggs, out of, or into, the affected area.

Government teams are testing the ostriches on each of the quarantined farms and shooting any that test positive for the virus. Some 30,000 birds are on the farms, but officials say they may not have to kill all of them. The ones that test negative are being isolated from the others.

The South African Department of Agriculture said the virus is unlikely to affect humans but appropriate biosecurity measures are being taken on all affected farms.

The infected carcasses are being piled in trenches and covered with lime to stop the spread of the virus.

Mogajane said the disease was first detected August 2, but the first infections probably occurred on July 21. She said no indication of the disease has been seen anywhere else in the country.

An ostrich farm in the Western Cape State, not in the affected area. (Photo courtesy Provencal Lodge)

The European Commission Tuesday suspended the import of live ostriches and their eggs, meat and products of ostriches and pet birds from South Africa until January 1, 2005. The ban excludes processed leather and egg shells.

Avian influenza is a highly contagious poultry disease that can cause severe economic damage to the poultry industry and can, in rare cases, be transmitted to humans. In Asia, 23 people have died from avian influenza since last November.

The South African Ostrich Business Chamber said today that it supports the halt of ostrich exports because "this drastic precautionary measure" will ensure the long term sustainability of the South African ostrich industry.

Middleton is a center of South Africa's lucrative ostrich industry which supplies meat, skins and feathers. In 2002, the chamber estimates, South Africa slaughtered 310,000 ostriches, as compared to 80,000 slaughtered in the rest of the world.

In 2003, South Africa is said to have supplied 79 percent of the ostrich skins sold on the world market. The skins are used for clothing, shoes, bags and luxury vehicle upholstery.