Avian influenza cost SA R4billion #southafrica

The outbreak of the bird flu virus, commonly known as avian
influenza, in the past few years has cost the country about
R4 billion, says Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister
Senzeni Zokwana.
Speaking at the launch of the South African Veterinary
Council Building in Pretoria on Tuesday, Minister Zokwana
said: "We have, in the last few years, been plagued by
disease outbreaks with negative trade consequences.
"I am told that our inability to trade from outbreaks of avian
influenza had cost us around R4 billion."
Minister Zokwana said a similar amount had been
mentioned with regards to the outbreak of foot and mouth
disease (FMD) in 2011, which has been resolved.
"Earlier this year, we had our FMD status reinstated. I would
like to invite all stakeholders to join hands and work
together to ensure that we strengthen veterinary services in
our country," he said.
Minister Zokwana said his department has reviewed the
report of the World Animal Health Organisation (OIE) on the
Performance of Veterinary Services (PVS). They have
further requested the OIE to perform a gap analysis and are
now awaiting the organisation's response.
"We are expecting the OIE to return to South Africa later this
year to inspect our controls for FMD in Limpopo, KwaZulu-
Natal and Mpumalanga.
"It is my take that at a minimum, this sector should seek to
meet minimum standards set by this body," he said.
Avian influenza
Bird flu is very contagious among birds and can make some
domesticated birds, including chickens, ostrich and ducks
very sick and kill them. Last year, there was an outbreak of
bird flu on an ostrich farm near Oudtshoorn in the Western
Cape.
Strains do not usually infect humans but several cases of
human infection with bird flu viruses have occurred since
1997. Infected birds shed flu virus in their saliva, nasal
secretions and faeces.
Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact
with contaminated excretions or surfaces that are
contaminated with excretions.
It is believed that most bird flu infections in humans have
resulted from contact with infected poultry or contaminated
surfaces.
However, there is no evidence of human-to-human
transmission so far.
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