UPDATE - S. Africa to cull 25,000 birds to contain bird flu

UPDATES WITH NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES BANNING S. AFRICAN POULTRY

By Hassan Isilow

JOHANNESBURG (AA) - South African authorities have confirmed a second case of the highly contagious H5N8 bird flu strain at a layer farm in Standerton in the eastern Mpumalanga province.

Bomikazi Molapo, spokeswoman for the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries told Anadolu Agency on Tuesday that more than 25,000 infected birds at the Standerton farm would be culled.

The first case of avian influenza was discovered in Villiers, a town in the Free State province, which borders Mpumalanga.

"We finished culling the birds in Villiers last Friday, and are busy with the ones in Standerton,’" Molapo said in a text message.

In a statement released Monday, the department said: "To date, no human cases of infection with avian influenza H5N8 have been reported."

The department also said meat from healthy poultry was safe for consumption, citing strict meat inspection processes at abattoirs.

South Africa, which exports poultry products to several countries, says it has formally notified its trading partners of the outbreak in Mpumalanga.

The announcement of the outbreak has prompted some neighboring countries to temporarily suspend imports of poultry from the country.

The Namibia Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) reported that the country’s Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) had suspended the import of poultry and poultry products from South Africa and Belgium.

Zimbabwe also announced an immediate ban on importation of South African poultry products until South Africa’s Agricultural department advised them.

According to media reports, Botswana and Zambia have also halted imports of South African poultry.