News in brief: A new bird flu strain has emerged in South Africa, resulting in the loss of over 3.7 million birds since June 2023 and raising prices for eggs and chickens.
A deadly new strain of highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, has hit South Africa, affecting the chicken and egg industries.
According to a report coming out of the, over 3.7 million birds have been lost due to the outbreak, since June 2023. The virus has spread to different provinces in the South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal.
The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) has warned that the outbreak will lead to a tight supply of eggs and chickens in the near future. Farms affected by the outbreak have been placed under quarantine by the state, preventing them from supplying the market.
The outbreak has also caused the prices of eggs and chickens to soar. According to the latest monthly household affordability index, the price of frozen chicken portions went up by 3% in August, while the price increase for eggs accelerated to 1%.
The South African government is working to address the outbreak by intensifying surveillance programmes and educating the public on the importance of biosecurity. Biosecurity is a set of measures designed to protect a farm from the entry and spread of diseases.
The government is also exploring the possibility of procuring emergency vaccines to assist the industry in this challenging situation. Consumers are expected to pay more for eggs and chickens in the near future.
