OIE Reports Three New LPAI Outbreaks in Western Cape Province

SOUTH AFRICA - The South African veterinary authorities have reported three new outbreaks of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) at three commercial ostrich farms in Western Cape Province.
calendar icon 5 July 2013
clock icon 2 minute read

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification stating that the outbreak was initially observed on 28 February 2013 and was confirmed on 29 June, after a real-time PCR was conducted at Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (ARC – OVI), the country's national laboratory.

The causal agent has been found to be the LPAI virus and the serotype was identified as H7N7.

A total of 9647 ostriches showed signs of susceptibility, out of which 3012 cases were reported. No deaths were recorded and no birds were destroyed.

According to the OIE, the outbreaks LPAI_2013H7N7_001 and LPAI_2013H7N7_002 were first notified on 15 April 2013 as part of the on-going H7N1 event since at that time the neuraminidase was suspected as N1.

These outbreaks have been confirmed later as H7N7.

Note by the OIE Animal Health Information Department: 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 soource of the outbreaks remains inconclusive.

Further Reading

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