Ostriches culled in Eastern Cape

2011-11-02 16:30

Johannesburg - Sixteen ostriches infected with Avian Flu were culled in the Eastern Cape on Wednesday, said the provincial department of rural development and agrarian reform.

Spokesperson Thozi Manyisana said the birds were part of a flock of 628 culled after testing positive for the virus last month.

He said all the ostriches from the Teasdale farm in the Eastern Cape were immediately quarantined in October to prevent the virus from spreading.

Manyisana said 220 ostriches that were moved from the same farm to another, before the outbreak, were being tested for the virus.

Manyisana said the department was committed to protecting the provincial livestock against any diseases of economic importance and those that threatened human health.

It said the virus had been confined to the Teasdale farm.

In May, 10 000 ostriches were culled in the Western Cape as they tested positive for Avian Flu.

The entire Klein Karoo area, which represents 70% of the ostrich industry, was affected by the outbreak.

- SAPA