SA stamps out avian flu
2005-09-13 10:50
Pretoria - South Africa has been declared free of notifiable avian influenza as of Saturday, says Agriculture Minister Thoko Didiza.
The disease was discovered in ostriches in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape in July of last year.
"Thanks to the assistance of all the role players and stakeholders it was possible for South Africa to eradicate this worldwide epidemic threat from the country," the minister said on Tuesday.
The announcement was made after a comprehensive survey conducted last month.
"This extremely serious threat to the whole poultry industry has thus been curbed and South Africa has become one of the few countries in the world to have ever achieved this tremendous feat."
The quarantine status of the two provinces has been rescinded. Severe restrictions imposed on the transporting of poultry, imposed last year, were no longer required.
The partial ban imposed last year on the export of ostriches, poultry and ostrich and poultry products has been lifted completely.
"After the successful eradication of this outbreak, South Africa will remain vigilant and the veterinary services together with the ostrich and poultry industries will take all measures to reduce the risk of re-introducing the infection.
"Surveillance testing will also be carried out in ostrich and chicken flocks at six monthly intervals to confirm South Africa's disease-free trading status for Notifiable Avian Influenza," the agriculture department said.
- SAPA