1. Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza H5N8
UPDATED PRESENTATION TO THE
PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES
1 August 2017

2. Contents of the presentation
Acronyms
Background
Current Outbreaks within SA
Actions taken
Possible economic impact

3. Acronyms Abbreviation Full Description AI Avian Influenza ARC - OVI
Agricultural Research Council: (OVI) Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute
DAFF
Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries
H5N8
Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza Type of virus H5N8
HPAI
Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza
OVI
Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute of the ARC (OVI-ARC)

4. Background It is a virus that affects both domestic and wild birds
It has less frequently been isolated from other mammalian species
It is classified into subtypes based on two surface proteins:
Hemagglutinin (HA) of which there are at least 16 (H1 to H16) subtypes
Neuraminidase (NA) of which there are 9 (N1 to N9) subtypes
These strains are further classified into two categories according to the severity of diseases:
Low pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI)
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)
LPAI strains cause few or no clinical signs in poultry
HPAI strains can cause severe clinical signs and potentially high mortality rates among poultry

5. …Background
The avian influenza virus is shed in faeces and respiratory secretions of infected birds
The virus can therefore be spread through direct contact with the secretions of infected birds or through contaminated water and feed
Wild water birds are reservoirs of the avian influenza virus and the virus may therefore be transmitted through wild birds and their migratory routes
The virus may also be carried on fomites e.g. farm equipment and clothing of people that came in contact with infected material

6. Current outbreaks within South Africa
On 22 June 2017 DAFF was notified of high mortalities on a breeder flock in Mpumalanga Province with the closest town being Villiers (FS). Samples that were collected yielded positive results for HPAI H5N8.
The total number of outbreaks detected To date (Monday 31 July) is 10.
4 outbreaks on commercial farms
3 outbreaks in wild birds
1 outbreak in birds kept as a hobby
2 outbreaks in backyard chickens

7. …Current outbreaks within South Africa
From further sequencing and genetic analysis results by the ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research the 1st outbreak close to Villiers and the 2nd outbreak in Val appears to be two separate introductions into the country.
The 1st outbreak close to Villiers is more related to an Egypt outbreak strain with a 1% difference between the Egypt strain and this South Africa strain.
The 2nd outbreak in Val is related to the Zimbabwean isolate with less than a 1% difference.

8. Actions taken All suspected cases are being followed-up immediately
The following control measures are immediately imposed:
Farms placed under quarantine (nothing allowed to move off the farm)
Eggs destroyed
Depopulation of affected sites
Carcasses, waste material, affected eggs and manure have been contained and will be dealt with to ensure prevention of spread of the disease as well as to prevent contamination of the environment.
On the hobbies farm, ducks were culled and all the other birds kept under quarantine and clinical observation
DAFF is obtaining legal and financial advice in order to finalise the incentivisation/ compensation policy for these HPAI outbreaks
A ban was introduced on the sale of live chickens to manage further spread but this initial complete ban has affected a number of livelihoods; this ban has been modified with conditions placed for the sale and distribution of live culls.

9. Avian Influenza in Chickens: H5N8

10. Avian Influenza in Chickens: Zoomed In

11. Possible Economic Impact
Number of chickens at risk and values (Figures extrapolated from 2007) Commercial Layers 17 million (R52 each) R Broilers 624 million ( R35 each) R Parents 7 million at (R950 each) R Total 648 million (chickens) R Non commercial All categories 1.5 million at R35 each R Grand Total 649, 5 million R Gross value of animal products R billion (2016) Combined gross poultry income for 2016 R billion (2016) Broiler and egg producers in rand value, still the largest segment of South African Agriculture at 18% (2016)

12. Possible Economic Impact: Trade
Country
Date
Commodities banned
Exclusions
European Commission (Norway, Iceland, Switzerland)
28 June 2017
Fresh ratite meat, poultry meat preparations, poultry meat products not subject to treatment, Unprocessed animal by-products
Hong Kong
23 June 2017
All poultry (carcass, parts and offal) poultry products (including eggs)
Provinces outside Mpumalanga (and historical ban on Eastern Cape and Western Cape still in place)
Israel
25 June 2017
Ban import of poultry genetic material, poultry products and birds.
United Arab Emirates
6 July 2017
Domestic and wild birds and their untreated by-products, day old chicks, hatching eggs, meat and table eggs

13. Possible Economic Impact: Trade
Neighboring countries have opened trade of meat, eggs and chicks from compartments with high biosecurity measures, and monthly AI monitoring.

14. Situation related to employment at affected farms (based on information supplied) and food losses (Estimate)
FARM NAME No, OF JOBS Production losses Hens Eggs per day First Farm (Hatching) Second Farm (Table) Third farm (Table) Fourth farm (1) (Table) Forth Farm (2) (Table) TOTAL (table) : (hatching) Estimate cost of egg at R1 per egg

15. THANK YOU