Five More Ostrich Farms Affected by Bird Flu
SOUTH AFRICA - Ostriches on five new farms in the Western Cape have tested positive for low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI).
5 July 2011
2 minute read
The veterinary authority sent Follow Up Report No. 4 dated 4 July to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).
The report describes that birds on five farms in Western Cape Province tested positive for LPAI, four of them between 30 May and 9 June. The other farm was affected in March. The four farms all tested positive by PCR for subtype H5 (or the type was unspecified). The first farm to be affected tested positive by HI test for H5 and H6 virus sub-types. In all, 9,005 birds were involved, of which 3,366 tested positive, eight died and 3,508 have been destroyed.
All were commercial ostrich farms. Ostriches on the farms tested positive on serology during routine surveillance, but tested negative on PCR and no virus could be found. Diagnosis was only confirmed after several follow-up PCR tests. South Africa only reports outbreaks on confirmation on PCR tests, according to the report. Initially, no clinical signs or mortalities were seen.
Stamping out on positive farms is taking place, adds the report.
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