Three African countries report avian flu cases in poultry

In West Africa, new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported on farms in Niger and Nigeria. Two different virus variants have been linked to the latest outbreaks in South African poultry.

Illustrate the Europe and Africa continent celebrate the easter day
Illustrate the Europe and Africa continent celebrate the easter day
chlhii | BigStockPhoto.com

In West Africa, new outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have been reported on farms in Niger and Nigeria. Two different virus variants have been linked to the latest outbreaks in South African poultry.

From South Africa comes recent official confirmation of two further HPAI outbreaks on poultry farms.

In the first week of January, the presence of the H5N1 serotype of the virus was detected on a farm in the Johannesburg city area. All 1,226 poultry at the premises died, according to the notification to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). 

Part of the current disease wave that started in March of 2021, this outbreak brings the country’s total to 94. Affected have been just over 4.96 million domestic birds.

In October of 2022, South African authorities reported that the first detection of the H5N2 HPAI virus serotype for the first time in well over 11 years. 

A second outbreak linked to this latter virus serotype has also recently been registered with WOAH. 

It started at the end of November last year, and affected a flock of around 37,400 poultry in the eastern province of KwaZulu-Natal. Just over 200 of the birds died at the farm, and the rest were culled. 

The affected premises appears to be around 15km from the earlier outbreak.

Among South Africa’s wild birds, surveillance of fecal samples in early December of 2022 revealed the presence of the H5N1 virus variant. The sample — collected from Merafong City in Gauteng province — was from an unidentified wild bird species.

Since May of 2021, the national veterinary service has officially registered with WOAH more than 22,000 cases of HPAI linked to this virus serotype among the wild population. Mortalities have passed 20,000, mainly among Cape cormorants. 

Ten new outbreaks in Nigerian poultry

Since the current outbreak wave began in December of 2020, the number of outbreaks among the West African state’s poultry has risen to 316. Directly affected by these outbreaks have been more than 2.3 million birds, including over 1.8 million that have been culled. 

The latest notification to WOAH covers the period October 29 to December 19. The 10 latest outbreaks occurred on eight farms — each with between 300 and 5,500 poultry — as well as two live bird markets.

One of the markets was located in Sokoto in the far northwest of the country — representing the first cases in this state. While six of the outbreaks were in Delta state in the south, the rest were in Bayelsa, Niger, and Oyo. 

Earlier this month, Agence Ecofin reported that HPAI virus had affected 28 of Nigeria’s 36 states over the past two years. 

As compensation to owners who have suffered HPAI-related losses, the government has announced plans to hand out 484 billion naira (NGN; US$1.05 billion). 

According to the same source, the national poultry flock numbers 180 million birds — the largest in West Africa. Despite this, Nigeria is less than 30% self-sufficient in poultry. 

HPAI returns to Niger

Between December of 2021 and July last year, the Republic of Niger’s veterinary authority notified WOAH of three HPAI outbreaks in poultry. 

Affecting a total of around 19,000 birds, all were near to the capital city, Niamey. The H5N1 HPAI virus serotype was detected at each premises.

However, following a four-month hiatus, the same virus variant was detected again in mid-December of last year. Located in the Tillaberi region, the affected farm appears from the WOAH report to be near to the center of Niamey. Source of the infection in this city in the far southwest of the country is unknown.

Around a week ago, the authorities in Maradi called for a suspension of all poultry transport, reported ANiamey. This region is located to the east of Niamey, in southern Niger. 

The halt was initiated following detection of the H5N1 HPAI virus at in native chickens and guinea fowl in Boulou Kourou. Furthermore, the regional governor has called for all birds on infected farms to be destroyed and buried, and the premises thoroughly disinfected. He ordered these measures to remain in effect until three months after the last recorded HPAI case.

HPAI cases have also been detected in the Tahoua region, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in its latest review of the HPAI situation in sub-saharan Africa.

View our continuing coverage of the global avian influenza situation.

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