On account of its proximity, South Africa was Namibia’s ‘most popular provider’ of hen, however the nation additionally imports poultry from Europe and South America.
Namibia has suspended imports of stay poultry, birds, and poultry merchandise from South Africa following the unfold of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) within the neighbouring nation.
The transfer, which takes rapid impact, was triggered by an “alarming” enhance in circumstances of “extremely pathogenic avian influenza”, Namibia’s agriculture ministry mentioned. “Importation and in-transit motion” of stay chickens, poultry meat, eggs and chicks from South Africa could be suspended “till additional discover” it mentioned.
South Africa, one of many continent’s main poultry producers, reported the primary chook flu circumstances in business farms in April, in line with an trade group.
On account of its proximity, South Africa was Namibia’s “most popular provider” of hen, however the nation additionally imports poultry from Europe and South America, agriculture ministry spokesman Jona Musheko advised AFP.
Earlier this month, the South African Poultry Affiliation (SAPA) mentioned the nation was contending with two completely different strains of the virus, the notorious H5N1 and a brand new pressure recognized as H7N6.
Producer Quantum Meals mentioned last week that this yr it had misplaced virtually two million chickens – value a complete of greater than 100 million rand ($5.2m) – due to the illness.
Chicken flu doesn’t sometimes infect people. However H5N1 is more and more infecting mammals worldwide, elevating fears it might cross on extra simply to individuals.
The virus has sometimes been confined to seasonal outbreaks, however since 2021 circumstances have emerged year-round, and throughout the globe, resulting in what specialists say is the most important outbreak ever seen. SAPA mentioned the variety of avian flu circumstances in South Africa this yr was greater than in any yr for the reason that first outbreaks have been reported in business farms in 2017.
