LPAI Outbreaks in Western Cape Province and Gauteng
SOUTH AFRICA - The South African veterinary authorities have reported one outbreak of low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) in Gauteng and three outbreaks in Western Cape Province.
2 September 2013
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The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) received an immediate notification about the outbreak in Gauteng on 30 August. The outbreak was first observed on 30 July and the presence of the LPAI virus, serotype H7, was confirmed on 1 August after a real-time reverse transcriptase/polymerase chain reaction (RRT-PCR) test was carried out at the Agricultural Research Council - Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute (ARC – OVI) on the same date.
Captive cattle egrets, umbrella cockatoo and eagle owl were affected. A total of 2000 birds were found susceptible, out of which four cases were found. No deaths were reported and no birds were destroyed.
According to the OIE, this outbreak is more than 1,000 km away from any other reported H7N1 or H7N7 outbreaks and occurred in species other than ostriches. There is no evidence to link this outbreak to previous outbreaks.
This outbreak occurred in indigenous wild birds and an exotic parrot kept in captivity. The birds were tested for planned export. They tested positive on RT-PCR for H7. The samples did not render enough material to allow sequencing or virus isolation and the N-type could not be determined.It is highly unlikely that further information on the N-type will be obtained. For this reason, the veterinary services decided to report it as a new event.
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 OIE was notified about the outbreaks at commercial ostrich farms in the Western Cape Province when follow-up report no. 3 was sent to the organisation.
According to the report, a total of 7508 ostriches showed signs of susceptibility, out of which 1989 cases were found. No deaths were recorded, and no birds were destroyed.
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 source of all outbreaks remains inconclusive.
The OIE, in conjunction with the country's veterinary authorities, have applied several measures to contain the situation.
