August 5, 2004

Bird Flu Breaks Out In South Africa

The Eastern Cape's borders in South Africa have been closed temporarily for the movement of ostriches and ostrich products, after an outbreak of avian flu. The bird flu was detected on two farms in the Bedford/Somerset East district.

Authorities have confirmed that samples from Eastern Cape farms have been provisionally diagnosed as one of the strains of Bird Flu that has affected Asia.

Anton Kruger, the Ostrich Business Chamber manager, says they do not know how many birds have died. The farms are in quarantine.

Cobus Dowry, the Western Cape agriculture minister, meanwhile says one of the Asian strains has been provisionally diagnosed. Kruger says it is important that the disease does not spread to the Western Cape, where more than 70% of the ostrich industry is based. Ninety per cent of ostrich meat produced in South Africa is exported to the European Union and a ban will have a huge impact on export earnings.