Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-South Africa has joined two other Southern Africa countries, Mozambique and Botswana, in suspending all poultry imports from Zimbabwe after an outbreak of avian flue.
an outbreak of H5N8 strain of bird flu was reported in Zimbabwe this week at Irvines, a leading poultry farmer, leading to the culling of over 140 000 chickens at the farm.
This has prompted the neighbouring countries to block any poluty imports from the economically suffering country.
A statement released by SA’s Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries stated that the country is on high alert after the outbreak.
“We have heightened inspections of all consignments, including all private and public vehicles at all our ports of entry, especially in and out of Zimbabwe”.
South African farmers operating near the border with Zimbabwe have been urged to “remain vigilant and report any unusual mortality of chickens or other birds to the state veterinary services immediately for samples to be collected”.
“Farmers should also increase their bio-security measures on farms, including limiting access to people who might have had contact with birds and chickens outside the farm”.
Irivines which is a leading poultry and egg producer in Zimbabwe discovered the flu after the death of over 7 000 chickens.
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