‘No need to panic’ over Western Cape ostrich flu

WINDHOEK – State veterinarian Dr Natangwe Amudhenu in the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry says there is no need for Namibians to panic over a bird flu outbreak that has been reported in the Western Cape in South Africa.

Amudhenu told Nampa yesterday that the Ministry of Agriculture was aware of the outbreak, and it did not pose any threat to Namibia. Imports of ostrich meat from South Africa to Namibia will continue.”So far, there is nothing indicating that we should panic, and the imports of ostrich products from South Africa continue,” he said.However, Amudhenu indicated that the ministry would only be able to get a clearer picture on the latest developments, including the results of the laboratory tests, by this afternoon.South Africa’s Sunday Times reported that an outbreak of bird flu had been detected on an ostrich farm 30 km west of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape.The outbreak was limited to a single farm, which had been placed under quarantine, the report said.All 60 affected ostriches were destroyed.The outbreak is reportedly not related to the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu reported in the Far East, Europe and northern Africa.About 70 per cent of South Africa’s ostrich industry is based in the Western Cape province, and 90 per cent of the ostrich meat produced in that country is exported to the European Union (EU).Precautionary steps, including quarantine measures and extended surveillance, have been put in place to limit and control the spread of the disease.A similar outbreak was detected in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa in 2004.- NampaImports of ostrich meat from South Africa to Namibia will continue.”So far, there is nothing indicating that we should panic, and the imports of ostrich products from South Africa continue,” he said.However, Amudhenu indicated that the ministry would only be able to get a clearer picture on the latest developments, including the results of the laboratory tests, by this afternoon.South Africa’s Sunday Times reported that an outbreak of bird flu had been detected on an ostrich farm 30 km west of Mossel Bay in the Western Cape.The outbreak was limited to a single farm, which had been placed under quarantine, the report said.All 60 affected ostriches were destroyed.The outbreak is reportedly not related to the deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu reported in the Far East, Europe and northern Africa.About 70 per cent of South Africa’s ostrich industry is based in the Western Cape province, and 90 per cent of the ostrich meat produced in that country is exported to the European Union (EU).Precautionary steps, including quarantine measures and extended surveillance, have been put in place to limit and control the spread of the disease.A similar outbreak was detected in the Eastern Cape province of South Africa in 2004.- Nampa