Biosecurity measures for seabirds ramped up after virus outbreak

THE Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds (Sanccob) has taken urgent action to strengthen its biosecurity protocols amid a serious outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) affecting wild seabirds along South Africa's coastline.

- THEOLIN TEMBO

HPAI, also known as bird flu, is a viral disease that causes rapid, severe illness in birds. The type of HPAI affecting seabirds in South Africa is officially known as H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b.

Since July, a new outbreak of HPAI has been confirmed in wild seabirds across the Western Cape. These are the first wild-bird detections in the province since April 2024.

Wild seabirds infected with HPAI often develop neurological signs such as tremors, head twitches and seizures. Although HPAI occasionally infects mammals and humans, the risk to the public remains very low when basic precautions are followed.