September 28, 2023

Namibia stops poultry imports from South Africa following HPAI outbreak

Namibia has suspended imports of live poultry, birds and poultry products from South Africa following the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the neighbouring country.

The move, which takes immediate effect, was triggered by an "alarming" increase in cases of "highly pathogenic avian influenza," Namibia's agriculture ministry said. "Importation and in-transit movement" of live chickens, poultry meat, eggs and chicks from South Africa would be suspended "until further notice," it said.

South Africa, one of Africa's major poultry producers, reported the first bird flu cases in commercial farms in April, according to an industry group. Due to its proximity, South Africa was Namibia's "preferred supplier" of chicken, but the country also imports poultry from Europe and South America, agriculture ministry spokesman Jona Musheko told AFP.

Earlier this month, the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) said the nation was contending with two different strains of the virus, H5N1 and a new strain identified as H7N6.

It added that the number of avian flu cases in South Africa this year was higher than in any year since the first outbreaks were reported in commercial farms in 2017.

- Al Jazeera