The Department of Rural, Environment and Agricultural Development says the outbreak involves wild ducks, with other animals in the vicinity being at an extreme danger. The department’s spokesperson, Emelda Setlhako, says the disease was detected after the death of ducks that were kept in a homestead. She says the ducks have been sent to a laboratory for further testing and she warns members of the public to take precautionary measures. Setlhako, says the outbreak has not yet affected the poultry industry’s trade.

The outbreak has not affected trade in a negative way since all facilities that trade with poultry and poultry products are outside a seven-kilometre radius of this case and those involved have also been asked to upgrade their biosecurity measures.

The department has commissioned a team to deal with the infected household to avoid the spreading of the disease, while another team has been deployed to collect information using the Community Policing Forum communication network. The household affected has been placed under quarantine to prevent the spreading of the virus to neighbouring houses.

The department further advises the public to secure their bird nets to cover food and water in order to prevent contact with infected wild birds and appeals to the public to take additional precautionary biosecurity measures. Members of the community are requested to report any bird deaths to the nearest State Veterinary offices.

OFM News