In connection with the bird flu in South Africa, 10,000 ostriches were destroyed
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
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Destruction of 10 thousand ostriches on farms of South Africa could not stop the epidemic of avian influenza, due to which the export of ostrich meat was stopped, reports AFP.
The first cases of influenza caused by the H5N2 virus were recorded among birds in the Western Cape province on 9 April. Although this strain is not as dangerous to humans as high-flying H5N1, it poses a serious threat to poultry farming. In connection with this, on April 14, the export of ostrich meat from South Africa was suspended.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the epidemic has now spread throughout the Malo Carru valley, where about 70% of the country's ostrich farms are concentrated. To stop transmission of the virus, about 10 thousand ostriches were destroyed. However, this measure was not effective enough, and the infection spread to eight farms.
According to the statement of the South African Ministry of Agriculture, the destruction of birds will continue until the epidemic is completely stopped. The European Commission sent a group of specialists to South Africa to help fight the infection.
According to experts, the economic losses from stopping the export of ostrich meat will amount to approximately $ 15.4 million a month. In South Africa, approximately 65 percent of the world's production of this product is concentrated.
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