OIE Reports LPAI, HPAI in Eastern and Western Cape
SOUTH AFRICA - The South African veterinary authorities have reported nine outbreaks of low pathogenic avian influenza at farms in Easter Cape Province and Western Cape Province and two outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Western Cape Province, affecting commercial ostriches.
16 April 2013
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The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received follow-up report no. 2 on 15 April and Follow-up report no. 14 for the LPAI and HPAI outbreaks respectively.
A total of 11302 ostriches showed signs of susceptibility to LPAI, out of which 3368 cases were reported. While no deaths were recorded, 2195 birds were taken to slaughter.
According to the OIE, the LPAI infection picked up due to routine surveillance for HPAI.
The OIE's Animal Health Information Department reports that H5 and H7 avian influenza in its low pathogenic form in poultry is a notifiable disease as per Chapter 10.4. on avian influenza of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code (2012).
The source of the LPAI outbreaks remains inconclusive.
The OIE reports that 1616 birds showed signs of susceptibility to the HPAI outbreaks, out of which 428 cases were reported. 387 birds were slaughtered.
According to the OIE, no clinical signs or mortalities were seen initially.
Stamping out of ostriches on positive farms is taking place.
