WHAT'S UP?

High pathogenicity avian influenza in cattle

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The ongoing threat of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) demands urgent global attention as it transcends its avian origins to affect domestic and wild mammals with increasing frequency. Notably, its ongoing circulation in dairy cattle in the United States (US) is raising concerns within the international community.

While the virus primarily affects domestic and wild birds, it is increasingly being reported in both terrestrial and aquatic mammals. As of September 2025, around 40 species of mammals had been infected with HPAI. These cases further highlight the virus's ability to cross species barriers and pose a threat to wildlife, domestic animals, and public health.

Investigations so far have identified raw milk from infected cows as a high-risk material. There is evidence of horizontal virus transmission from infected lactating cows to other animals including cows, cats, and poultry. Thus, only milk produced by non-infected cows and that has been pasteurised or has followed a similar virus inactivation process should be commercialised.

The risk to humans is currently considered low for the general public and is considered low to moderate for those exposed to infected birds, animals, or contaminated environment. - WOAH

Act 36: Abandoning manual applications

The National Department of Agriculture (NDA) has cautioned applicants that it will not be accepting manual applications for pesticides from 1 April 2026.

Each year, thousands of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, nematicides, and rodenticides, among others, are sold and used across South Africa. The sale and use of these products is strictly regulated under the Fertilizers, Farm Feeds, Agricultural Remedies and Stock Remedies Act, 1947 (Act 36 of 1947). In December 2023, the NDA launched the online application system for the pesticides leg of agricultural inputs that allows applicants to submit applications electronically.