Latest news with #HighlyPathogenicAvianInfluenza
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RTÉ News
Warning issued after strain of avian influenza detected in wild sea birds
The Department of Agriculture has issued a warning after a strain of avian influenza - or bird flu - was detected in a number of wild sea birds off the west coast of Ireland in recent weeks. Minister for Agriculture Martin Heyden said that "in the past three weeks, there have been a number of reports of groups of dead wild sea birds washing up on shorelines in counties Kerry, Clare and Galway. "In two instances, a wild sea bird which washed up on a beach tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza virus, with one case in Kerry and one in Galway." Members of the public are advised not to touch or pick up dead wild birds and to keep pet dogs on a leash in areas where there are sick or dead wild birds. Meanwhile, poultry farmers in coastal areas of Kerry, Clare and Galway have been advised to implement stringent biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of the disease spreading to their flocks. Farmers are also asked to report any suspicions of avian influenza to their local Regional Veterinary Office. The department also said the public can continue to report incidents of dead wild birds via its Avian Check app. The HSE and Health Protection Surveillance Centre have advised that the risk to public health from the strain of avian influenza currently circulating (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza subtype H5N1) is considered low for the general public, and low to medium for occupationally exposed people. Special biosecurity regulations for poultry were in place due to the increased risk of bird flu from last December to the end of May. No outbreaks of the high pathogenic HPAI strain were detected in commercial poultry flocks in Ireland last year or so far in 2025.
North Wales Live
3 days ago
- Health
- North Wales Live
Bird flu confirmed at North Wales commercial premises
Bird flu has been confirmed at a commercial premises in North Wales. A 3km protection zone, and 10km surveillance zone which extends into England, have been set up, after the case was discovered near Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham. A Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs statement said: "Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 was confirmed in commercial poultry at a premises in Wales near Glyn Ceiriog, Wrexham (AIV 2025/49). "A 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been declared around the premises. All poultry on the premises will be humanely culled. Part of the 10km surveillance zone extends into England." Anybody within the surveillance zone must keep a records of visitors, of all poultry entering or leaving the premises and report any increases in deaths, or drop in egg production and all poultry movements as part of measures to stop the spread. The Welsh Government has issued this guidance about bird flu: Report a suspicion Contact your local Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) office immediately on 0300 303 8268 if you suspect avian influenza. APHA vets will investigate suspected cases. Clinical signs The following clinical signs may be present: swollen head blue discolouration of the neck and throat loss of appetite respiratory distress such as: gaping beak, coughing/sneezing, gurgling diarrhoea fewer eggs laid increased mortality Transmission and prevention Although Avian influenza is a disease of birds, in rare cases humans can become infected. Some strains of Avian influenza can spread easily and quickly between birds and have a high death rate. All bird keepers must: continue to practice the highest levels of biosecurity be vigilant for any signs of disease You should register your poultry (on even if only kept as pets, so APHA can contact you during an outbreak. This is a legal requirement if you have 50 or more birds. Biosecurity advice All bird keepers are urged to maintain high levels of biosecurity; whether you have a few pet birds, or if you have a large commercial flock. To ensure high levels of biosecurity, all poultry keepers should: minimise movement of people in and out of bird enclosures clean and disinfect footwear using a government approved disinfectant, and keep areas where birds live clean and tidy ensure the areas where birds are kept are not attractive to wild birds, for example, by netting ponds and by removing access to food sources keep your birds separate to and without access to areas where especially geese, ducks and gulls are present feed and water your birds in enclosed areas to discourage wild birds clean and disinfect vehicles and equipment that have come into contact with poultry, and reduce any existing contamination by cleansing and disinfecting concrete areas keep a close watch on birds for any signs of disease and report any sick birds or unexplained deaths to your vet or APHA Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus The risk of HPAI virus (bird flu) increases during the winter. Migratory waterfowl and gulls are the most likely cause of HPAI incursion. (Migratory wildfowl include ducks, geese and swans.) This is based on experience over the last two winters. Along with with scientific and veterinary opinion.
IOL News
19-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
South Africa partially lifts poultry import ban from Brazil, producers rejoice
Poultry products producers and agriculture associations have welcomed the news by the Department of Agriculture to partially lift the ban on imports of poultry and poultry products from Brazil from Thursday. Image: supplied Poultry product producers and agriculture associations have welcomed the news by the Department of Agriculture that it has partially lifted the ban on imports of poultry and poultry products from Brazil from Thursday. The ban was imposed due to an outbreak of Avian flu in Brazil. The Department of Agriculture has since said that the ban has been contained to one state in Brazil. Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen announced that South Africa will partially lift the suspension on imports of all poultry and poultry products from Brazil, effective on Thursday. 'This decision follows the receipt of a second report from Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, confirming that the outbreak has been contained to a single state,' Steenhuisen said. 'However, this partial lifting remains conditional and may be revoked if the outbreak is found to have spread to other states within Brazil.' Georg Southey, the manager at Merlog Foods, said this decision was a welcome and necessary move. 'The partial lifting of the import ban will be applied to all other states of Brazil, aside from the Rio Grande do Sul region, where the outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, was detected mid-May," Southey said, "The decision to partially lift this ban could not have come at a more critical time. South Africa has been losing over 100 million meals per week due to the ban, putting pressure on food affordability and security, especially as Stats SA reports that up to 30% of households in some provinces face regular hunger.' Brazil supplies 95% of South Africa's mechanically deboned meat (MDM), a key ingredient in everyday staples like polony, viennas, and sausages. Southey explained that these affordable proteins are essential to school feeding schemes and low-income families, and no other country could fill the gap. He said, "I commend the Department and the Minister of Agriculture for responding swiftly to industry concerns and for engaging constructively with Brazilian authorities to implement a regionalisation protocol. By allowing imports from unaffected areas of Brazil to resume, this decision strikes a vital balance between biosecurity and national food needs.' Arnold Prinsloo, the CEO of Eskort, too welcomed the "speedy response from the government", but said South Africa was by no means out of the woods yet. 'Although the Department of Agriculture has agreed to a partial lifting of the suspension, the process is as follows: Brazil has to send a certificate to the government, and together they need to agree on legalities and wording," he said. Prinsloo explained that once that certificate is in place, South Africa can only then place orders to Brazil. Production has stopped in Brazil, so there will be a two-week lead time on production. Then orders will take six weeks to get to South Africa, and then one to two weeks to clear customs. 'Thus there will still be an impact on consumers and business and food security at large. We do have stock in place, but many of the smaller suppliers are in trouble and will remain so,' Prinsloo said. The South African Meat Processors Association (Sampra) also welcomed the announcement, saying it will avert significant shortages of affordable protein such as polony, viennas, and braai wors on South African shelves. Gordon Nicoll, the chairperson of Sampra, said, "We are grateful for the urgency displayed by the Department of Agriculture in averting the full-scale social and humanitarian crisis which the ban imposed on 16 May threatened to unleash. 'While it will take some time for imports of MDM to reach our shores, the situation could have been significantly worse.' Francois Rossouw, the CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative, said the decision by the Department reflects a much-needed shift towards a science-based and internationally aligned approach to managing animal health risks through regionalisation. BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa eases poultry ban : Relief in sight for struggling households
The decision to partially lift this ban could not have come at a more critical time. South Africa has been losing over 100 million meals per week due to the ban, putting pressure on food affordability and security, especially as Stats SA reports that up to 30% of households in some provinces face regular hunger. Merlog Foods has welcomed the Department of Agriculture's decision to partially lift the suspension on poultry product imports from Brazil. The group, South Africa's largest importers of chicken and chilled meats and suppliers of local and foreign protein to major retailers and meat processors, said the move is a timely intervention aimed at alleviating pressing food security issues in South Africa. Effective from June 19, this partial lifting will permit imports from all regions of Brazil, with the exception of Rio Grande do Sul, where an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, was reported in mid-May. This critical shift in policy comes as South Africa grapples with significant food shortages, resulting in the loss of more than 100 million meals each week due to the import ban. The looming threat of hunger is palpable; recent statistics from Stats SA reveal that up to 30% of households in certain provinces routinely face food insecurity, creating urgent demands for a reliable food supply.
IOL News
17-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
South Africa secures chicken imports from the US amid bird flu crisis
As bird flu cases rise in the US, South Africa's desperate need for chicken imports leads to a crucial agreement with the US government Image: Pexels/IOL Even though there have been 70 cases of bird flu – Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza – reported in the United States, South Africa has approved a special, year-long arrangement with that country to bring in chicken. This comes as all poultry products have been banned from entering several countries, including South Africa, due to a bird flu outbreak there. On May 15, 2025, Brazil confirmed its first-ever case of bird flu, which results in South Africa losing up to 100 million animal protein meals for every week the ban continues. Merlog Foods, a chicken importer, has welcomed the agreement with the US, said GM Georg Southey. 'South Africa's Department of Agriculture has, in a welcome move, approved a special, year-long arrangement with the United States of America that allows for a more dynamic trade response to avian influenza or bird flu outbreaks ensuring a continued supply of chicken imports into South Africa, thus increasing food security,' he said in a statement. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has logged 24 incidences of the deadly virus at poultry farms and culling operations. Its tracker noted that this exposure was associated with commercial agriculture and related operations. Overall, the CDC said that there were 70 cases in the US, with 64 of these detected through targeted H5 surveillance. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ However, Southey said that the deal ensures that chicken is only exported to South Africa from safe areas. The agreement was publicised in a letter released this week by the Department of Agriculture, and it 'empowers the US to manage its own internal chicken trade restrictions by state, depending on the presence or absence of bird flu outbreaks,' he said. If there is a highly pathogenic avian influenza or bird flu outbreak, the US will stop exports from a specific state and resume exports when safe, Southey said. 'The agreement allows local importers of essential affordable protein needed by millions of South Africans to access safe chicken with ease and removes onerous paperwork and delays,' Southey noted. Imported affordable proteins are essential for food security in South Africa where up to 30% of households in some provinces face regular hunger according to a recent Statistics South Africa. Calling on South Africa to sign similar agreements with other countries, he pointed to the fact that there were other agreements in place. 'Many countries which import chicken from Brazil have already implemented regionalisation process to allow safe imports to continue. These countries include Japan, Mexico, Cuba and notably neighbouring Namibia,' he said. IOL
