![Unpacking the bird flu outbreaks in South Africa](https://cdn.magzter.com/1373618752/1698917823/articles/9vDVBtMtk1698920797125/UNPACKING-THE-BIRD-FLU-OUTBREAKS-IN-SOUTH-AFRICA.jpg)
An outbreak of avian influenza, a highly contagious viral infection that affects wild birds as well as poultry, has hit poultry farms in South Africa. Two different strains are causing outbreaks in the country, namely H5N1 and H7N6.
THE STRAIN THAT HAS BROKEN OUT
The outbreak caused by a highly pathogenic (HPAI) strain of H7N6 avian influenza is causing the most concerning at present.
The strain was first confirmed in chickens near Delmas, east of Johannesburg, at the beginning of June this year.
This virus is a novel mutation of a strain which originated from wild birds at or near the location of the original outbreak.
The strain is well-adapted to chickens in preference to other avian species, infects them easily and replicates in them effectively. This means it spreads easily between birds and farms. An estimated 10 million birds have already become infected, while six million died from H5N1 earlier in the year.
The conventional control measures (collectively known as biosecurity) have been less effective than usual in limiting the spread of the disease. The main measures taken on poultry farms include strictly limiting human and vehicle movement. People entering farms will typically take measures to limit disease transmission such as showering, changing clothes and disinfecting footwear when moving between different parts of the farm. Because wild birds are associated with the spread of bird flu, measures are taken to ensure they are completely excluded from all chicken sheds.
WHAT’S NEW THIS TIME?
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 10, 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 10, 2023-Ausgabe von Farmer's Weekly.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
![Western Cape pet owners urged to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/jXEPZlTV21718283896674/WESTERN-CAPE-PET-OWNERS-URGED-TO-VACCINATE-DOGS-AND-CATS-AGAINST-RABIES.jpg)
Western Cape pet owners urged to vaccinate dogs and cats against rabies
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture is urging people to vaccinate their animals against rabies after a confirmed case in Cape Town.
![Concerns arise over potential Irish potato shortage](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/wnjTOJhA91718283775116/CONCERNS-ARISE-OVER-POTENTIAL-IRISH-POTATO-SHORTAGE.jpg)
Concerns arise over potential Irish potato shortage
Consumers may soon experience a shortage of Irish potatoes, leading to potentially higher prices.
![Industry players debate call to extend tariff rebates for imported chicken](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/5S1UtME2l1718283651614/INDUSTRY-PLAYERS-DEBATE-CALL-TO-EXTEND-TARIFF-REBATES-FOR-IMPORTED-CHICKEN.jpg)
Industry players debate call to extend tariff rebates for imported chicken
The debate over extending tariff rebates on chicken imported into South Africa continues as industry players argue over market dynamics and food affordability.
![Wildlife income dives as minister stays mum on hunting quotas](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/KDMSL30cG1718283548896/WILDLIFE-INCOME-DIVES-AS-MINISTER-STAYS-MUM-ON-HUNTING-QUOTAS.jpg)
Wildlife income dives as minister stays mum on hunting quotas
The South African wildlife industry faces an uncertain future in light of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment's delay in publishing this year's annual hunting quota.
![Four apps to improve productivity and more](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/KctY9iNFD1718283108297/FOUR-APPS-TO-IMPROVE-PRODUCTIVITY-AND-MORE.jpg)
Four apps to improve productivity and more
There are a range of apps available on the South African market to help farmers improve efficiency and production. We explore four of them here.
![Fun, games and ancient rites on board the greatest ocean liner still in service](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/z8K_yQE161718282735879/FUN-GAMES-AND-ANCIENT-RITES-ON-BOARD-THE-GREATEST-OCEAN-LINER-STILL-IN-SERVICE.jpg)
Fun, games and ancient rites on board the greatest ocean liner still in service
With King Neptune’s permission, pollywog Brian Berkman crossed the equator on board the Queen Mary 2 and is now a proud shellback. He gives the lowdown on the variety of pursuits avaliable on this luxurious ship.
![Choosing the right nitrogen type](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/8DJIKAdFp1718282592417/CHOOSING-THE-RIGHT-NITROGEN-TYPE.jpg)
Choosing the right nitrogen type
Various nitrogenous fertilisers are available. Your choice will depend on environmental considerations, cost, availability, and so on, writes Bill Kerr.
![Hydrogen: a vehicle emissions reduction alternative?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/zoKf4T1Bm1718282314991/HYDROGEN-A-VEHICLE-EMISSIONS-REDUCTION-ALTERNATIVE.jpg)
Hydrogen: a vehicle emissions reduction alternative?
The current narrative around vehicle electrification typically covers battery cost, raw materials, weight, driving range, or charging infrastructure – all battery electric vehicle issues. There is rarely any discussion around the use of hydrogen as an alternative means of achieving vehicle emission targets. Why this apparent lack of interest?
![Cotton industry comes together to forge a new future](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/1iXZt3RV51718281800328/COTTON-INDUSTRY-COMES-TOGETHER-TO-FORGE-A-NEW-FUTURE.jpg)
Cotton industry comes together to forge a new future
A strategic cotton summit held recently in Limpopo was an important step towards creating unity in the industry and a common goal throughout the entire cotton value chain.
![Understanding the basics of chicken abattoirs and related legislation](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/3894/1731860/KxZDKmUbj1718281629541/UNDERSTANDING-THE-BASICS-OF-CHICKEN-ABATTOIRS-AND-RELATED-LEGISLATION.jpg)
Understanding the basics of chicken abattoirs and related legislation
South Africa has strict laws that regulate the slaughtering of animals in commercial abattoirs. In this article, Farmer's Weekly looks at how a chicken abattoir works, what facilities are needed and what the laws are that govern the establishment and operation of such abattoirs.