NAI : THREAT TO THE POULTRY INDUSTRY IN RSA

The Poultry Industry (mainly chickens) is the biggest single agricultural Industry in RSA It is a very important supplier of affordable protein to the whole spectrum of the human population in the RSA

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Production is done under a wide range of production facilities from high standard highly automated high-tech farms ( ± 95%) to backyard “scratch” poultry of almost neglible numbers, as far as product is concerned, but a very important factor in disease control

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Poultry disease management is mostly done by private veterinary poultry consultants as is also the case with Newcastle Disease. Variable results in control of this important financial disease pose the question of more rigorous State involvement to achieve better results.

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How is this partnership with Government going to give the desired control results as far as NAI and HPAI are concerned?

Is H6N2 vaccination a success story?

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AI virusses had been isolated in the RSA on individual occasions over a period of time from the dead terns in 1961 – till the last outbreak of H5N2 in ostriches in 2004.

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Most isolations came from ostriches and only H6N2 in poultry affected the chicken industry.

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Lack of information about individual cases and “unimportant” isolates, makes the full history needed incomplete.

Every bit of information is needed for NAI control.

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The most important factors regarding such a “world wide” threat as is the case with H5N1, are the following : 1. The possibility of H5N1 infecting our stocks 2. Protection of our highly valuable poultry industry 3. Protection of our consumers is a high priority

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The possibility of H5N1 to infect our flocks Migratory birds – not a proven route into commercial flocks

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Human travellers – a threat with increased global travel Imports – no poultry imports from Nigeria. All HPAI positive countries closed.

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Protection of our highly valuable poultry industry, strategic breeder flocks and high risk areas.

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Vaccination as an aid in the eradication process only, is questioned now and there is big pressure to do prophylactic strategic vaccination.

Certain real risks must first be addressed before such drastic steps are taken which include increased control on imports, handling of swill and bio-security. Protection of our consumers is a high priority.

Immuno-compromised consumers can be at great risk and should be kept in mind in our demographic composition.

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NAI IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

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The poultry industries and consumers in our neighbouring countries depend to a large extent on the South African Poultry Industry and associated pharmaceutical and other suppliers.

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It is very important that the same measures apply to our neighbouring countries and that the needed support be given as far as expertise and laboratory services are concerned.

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For a number of companies in the RSA, exports and involvement in the industries in the SADC countries are of great financial importance and should be protected by appropriate control measures to prevent NAI in Southern Africa.

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Food security is an important matter which should be supported at the highest levels in our Governments in the Region.

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