NAMIBIA BANS SA POULTRY IMPORTS

Neighbouring country Namibia has banned the import of South African poultry due to the spread of avian flu in this country.

The massive avian flu outbreak in South Africa has caused a shortage of chicken and eggs and it’s expected to last until the end of October.

The suspension of imports has been confirmed by the National Directorate of Animal Health and is currently in effect util further notice.

Bothle Modisane, chief director at government’s animal production and health, said the aim of the ban from Namibia’s side is to help stop the spread of the disease and that it’s not an unusual move.

“This is usual and that is the strategy we also employ in the country should another country be infected. We often demand some guarantees as to how will we prevent our poultry flocks from being infected. So, the Namibian approach is not unusual.”

The latest strain to surface is the H7N6 and is believed to be the most prominent in Gauteng.

Image credit: The Citizen