More Bird Flu in South African Ostriches
SOUTH AFRICA - Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been reported on four new ostrich farms.
13 June 2011
2 minute read
The veterinary authority has sent Follow up Report No. 3 dated 10 June to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The report describes four new outbreaks of HPAI on ostrich farms, which started between 19 and 21 April. All four outbreaks were on commercial ostrich farms at Oudtshoorn in Western Cape Province, the area previously affected. A total of 2,576 were involved, of which 26 were affected.
Three of the farms were found to be positive for an H5 sub-type of the HPAI virus using PCR. Previous outbreaks have involved the H5N2 sub-type.
The report adds that the commercial ostrich farms tested positive on serology during routine surveillance but tested negative on PCR and no virus could be found. Diagnosis only confirmed after several follow-up PCR tests. South Africa only reports outbreaks on confirmation on PCR tests. Initially, no clinical signs or mortalities were seen.
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