Latest news with #WCDoA
IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Bird flu outbreak in Western Cape: What you need to know to protect poultry and wildlife
Authorities urge poultry farmers and the public to take precautions as a new bird flu outbreak affects both domestic and wild birds in the Western Cape. Image: FILE The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) has confirmed a new outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), or 'bird flu', in the province, urging poultry farmers and the public to take urgent precautions. The department said the latest case was detected in farmed ducks near Paarl in early July, with associated chickens 'humanely culled voluntarily to prevent further spread.' Recent outbreaks have also been confirmed in chickens in North West and Mpumalanga provinces. In addition to poultry infections, HPAI has been responsible for mortalities in Great White Pelicans near Malmesbury and Hartlaub's Gulls in the Cape Town area, the first wild bird cases reported in the Western Cape since April 2024 and the first mass mortalities since 2022. Avian influenza is a viral disease that primarily affects birds and can cause neurological symptoms such as twitching or seizures. 'Infected wild birds may appear unusually tame, lose their fear of humans, or exhibit neurological signs,' the WCDoA said. The virus spreads via the droppings and bodily fluids of infected birds, through direct contact or contaminated materials. Although overseas cases have shown that some mammals and a small number of humans can contract the virus after close contact with infected birds, there is 'currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission'. 'While the risk of human infection is low, contact with sick and dead birds should be avoided. Do not touch or transport sick or dead wild birds without appropriate protective clothing and rather report to the responsible local authority,' the department said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ The WCDoA assured consumers that poultry products from grocery stores are safe for consumption but stressed that avian influenza is a controlled disease under the Animal Diseases Act, 35 of 1984. All suspected poultry outbreaks must be reported to the local State Veterinarian immediately. The public is also urged to report unusual numbers of sick or dead wild birds. 'This would be approximately three or more for seabirds, but fewer for solitary species like birds of prey,' the department said. For poultry farmers, the department advised strict biosecurity measures, including restricting farm access to anyone who has had contact with poultry in the past 48 hours, keeping flocks away from wild birds, and disinfecting vehicles and footwear when entering or leaving poultry houses. 'Together, through vigilance and cooperation, we can help prevent the further spread of avian influenza and protect our birds, our poultry industry and communities,' the department said. Cape Times
IOL News
3 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
New bird flu outbreak confirmed in Western Cape: Urgent precautions advised
Authorities urge poultry farmers and the public to take precautions as a new bird flu outbreak affects both domestic and wild birds in the Western Cape. Image: Supplied The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) has confirmed a new outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), or "bird flu," in the province. They urge poultry farmers and the public to take immediate precautions. The latest case was found in farmed ducks near Paarl in early July, leading to the voluntary culling of associated chickens to prevent further spread. Recent outbreaks have also been confirmed in chickens in North West and Mpumalanga provinces. In addition to poultry infections, HPAI has been responsible for mortalities in Great White Pelicans near Malmesbury and Hartlaub's Gulls in the Cape Town area, the first wild bird cases reported in the Western Cape since April 2024 and the first mass mortalities since 2022. Avian influenza is a viral disease that primarily affects birds and can cause neurological symptoms such as twitching or seizures. 'Infected wild birds may appear unusually tame, lose their fear of humans, or exhibit neurological signs,' the WCDoA said. The virus spreads via the droppings and bodily fluids of infected birds, through direct contact or contaminated materials. Although overseas cases have shown that some mammals and a small number of humans can contract the virus after close contact with infected birds, there is 'currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission'. 'While the risk of human infection is low, contact with sick and dead birds should be avoided. Do not touch or transport sick or dead wild birds without appropriate protective clothing and rather report to the responsible local authority,' the department said. The WCDoA assured consumers that 'poultry products from grocery stores are safe for consumption' but stressed that avian influenza is a controlled disease under the Animal Diseases Act, 35 of 1984. All suspected poultry outbreaks must be reported to the local State Veterinarian immediately. The public is also urged to report unusual numbers of sick or dead wild birds. 'This would be approximately 3 or more for seabirds, but fewer for solitary species like birds of prey,' the department said. For poultry farmers, the department advised strict biosecurity measures, including restricting farm access to anyone who has had contact with poultry in the past 48 hours, keeping flocks away from wild birds, and disinfecting vehicles and footwear when entering or leaving poultry houses. 'Together, through vigilance and cooperation, we can help prevent the further spread of avian influenza and protect our birds, our poultry industry and communities,' the department said. Get your news on the go, click here to join the Cape Argus News WhatsApp channel. Cape Argus
The South African
4 days ago
- Health
- The South African
New bird flu outbreak confirmed in this province
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) has confirmed a fresh outbreak of high-pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu. Officials detected the virus in farmed ducks near Paarl in early July. The farm owners voluntarily culled the chickens to prevent the disease from spreading. Authorities have recently reported cases in chickens in the North West and Mpumalanga provinces. Avian influenza is a contagious viral disease that mainly affects birds, but in rare cases can also infect mammals and humans through direct contact with infected birds. The department noted that HPAI has also caused deaths in wild bird species in the Western Cape. These include Great White Pelicans near Malmesbury and Hartlaub's Gulls in Cape Town. These are the first confirmed wild bird cases in the province since April 2024 and the first mass deaths since 2022. 'Infected wild birds may appear unusually tame, lose fear of humans, or show neurological signs like twitching or seizures,' said the WCDoA. Health officials say there is no evidence that the virus is spreading between humans. Authorities urge people to avoid handling sick or dead wild birds without protective gear. People should report suspected cases to local authorities. 'While the risk of human infection is low, contact with sick and dead birds should be avoided,' the department said. 'Do not transport dead birds; report sightings to your local authority instead.' The WCDoA reassured the public that poultry products sold in stores remain safe for consumption. The authorities handle the outbreak under the Animal Diseases Act. Authorities urge poultry farmers to step up biosecurity. This includes: Restricting farm access to those who have had poultry contact in the past 48 hours Preventing contact between farm birds and wild birds Disinfecting all vehicles and footwear entering poultry houses People must immediately report all suspected poultry outbreaks to a State Veterinarian. 'Through vigilance and cooperation, we can help stop the spread of bird flu and protect our birds, poultry industry, and communities,' the department said. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
4 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
Bird flu outbreak threatens poultry and wildlife in Western Cape
Authorities urge poultry farmers and the public to take precautions as a new bird flu outbreak affects both domestic and wild birds in the Western Cape. Image: Supplied The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) has confirmed a new outbreak of high pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI), or 'bird flu', in the province, urging poultry farmers and the public to take urgent precautions. The department said the latest case was detected in farmed ducks near Paarl in early July, with associated chickens 'humanely culled voluntarily to prevent further spread.' Recent outbreaks have also been confirmed in chickens in North West and Mpumalanga provinces. In addition to poultry infections, HPAI has been responsible for mortalities in Great White Pelicans near Malmesbury and Hartlaub's Gulls in the Cape Town area, the first wild bird cases reported in the Western Cape since April 2024 and the first mass mortalities since 2022. Avian influenza is a viral disease that primarily affects birds and can cause neurological symptoms such as twitching or seizures. 'Infected wild birds may appear unusually tame, lose their fear of humans, or exhibit neurological signs,' the WCDoA said. The virus spreads via the droppings and bodily fluids of infected birds, through direct contact or contaminated materials. Although overseas cases have shown that some mammals and a small number of humans can contract the virus after close contact with infected birds, there is 'currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission'. 'While the risk of human infection is low, contact with sick and dead birds should be avoided. Do not touch or transport sick or dead wild birds without appropriate protective clothing and rather report to the responsible local authority,' the department said. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading The WCDoA assured consumers that 'poultry products from grocery stores are safe for consumption' but stressed that avian influenza is a controlled disease under the Animal Diseases Act, 35 of 1984. All suspected poultry outbreaks must be reported to the local State Veterinarian immediately. The public is also urged to report unusual numbers of sick or dead wild birds. 'This would be approximately 3 or more for seabirds, but fewer for solitary species like birds of prey,' the department said. For poultry farmers, the department advised strict biosecurity measures, including restricting farm access to anyone who has had contact with poultry in the past 48 hours, keeping flocks away from wild birds, and disinfecting vehicles and footwear when entering or leaving poultry houses. 'Together, through vigilance and cooperation, we can help prevent the further spread of avian influenza and protect our birds, our poultry industry and communities,' the department said. IOL News
Zawya
08-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
South Africa: Western Cape renews MoUs to support new farmers
The Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA) and various commodity partners have renewed their Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) for another five years. This agreement will allow commodity organisations to continue supporting new farmers through advice, mentorship, training, inputs, market access, and mutual in-kind contributions. Agreements were signed with key industry bodies, including the National Wool Growers Association (NWGA), Deciduous Fruit Producers Trust (DFPT), SA Wines, South African Table Grape Industry (SATI), South African Poultry Association (SAPA), Potatoes SA, Raisins SA, Grain South Africa, Berries SA, Citrus Growers Association, South African Pork Producers Association, Red Meat Producers Association, and Rooibos Producers Association. Emphasises on strategic partnerships Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, Dr Ivan Meyer, highlighted the importance of these agreements, noting that strategic partnerships are vital for addressing the complex challenges facing the agricultural sector. 'The department has developed and nurtured strategic partnerships over several years. These partnerships complement our work and enhance the impact of our service delivery initiatives. One such initiative is the Commodity Approach, which has been an enormous success for over a decade,' Minister Meyer said. He also emphasised that the WCDoA views these partnerships as essential to tackling the challenges in agriculture, and the signing of these MoUs is a reflection of that ongoing strategy. WCDoA's focus on new farmers Dr Mogale Sebopetsa, head of the WCDoA, explained that the partnership with commodity organisations aims to foster capacity-building, mentorship, market access, and resource mobilisation to support the commercialisation of new farmers in the province. "The commodities also have the liberty to participate in the Commodity Project Allocation Committees (CPACs), which are crucial in the appraisal of farmer applications processed and oversight thereof," Dr Sebopetsa said. "With the commodity approach, the department can augment its resources by leveraging the industry's expertise, financial resources, and other assets, thus improving our service delivery to farmers." Advancing transformation Industry leaders have acknowledged the positive impact of the partnership in advancing transformation and supporting farmers' progress. Mariette Kotzé, group operations manager at Hortgro, shared the long-term success of the partnership. 'This partnership has been around since 2009. The impact has been immeasurable. It is about making a difference. But it is also about creating an enabling environment for our growers,' she said. Mecia Petersen, CEO of the South African Table Grapes Industry, which provides nearly 100,000 jobs valued at R3.78 billion annually, stressed the importance of collaboration in unlocking further value for the sector. "Our sector has enormous potential to create many more jobs. Our ability to do so becomes easier with a reliable partner such as the Western Cape Government," Petersen said. "This is aptly demonstrated through the Western Cape Government's role in improving operations at the Port of Cape Town and today's formal commitment to support the agriculture sector, which the government takes very seriously." In conclusion, Minister Meyer reiterated the importance of these strategic partnerships in the growth of the agricultural sector. "The MoUs solidify our joint commitment to transform the agricultural sector, grow the economy, and create jobs,' he concluded. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
