The Directorate of Veterinary Services under the Ministry of Agriculture, Water, and Land Reform has suspended the importation into Namibia and the transit of live poultry and their products from South Africa with immediate effect following the outbreak and alarming spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the neighboring country.
“The suspension was prompted by the current alarming spread of HAI in Commercial Poultry in export-approved poultry compartments. Therefore, there is a need to reinforce the control measures to prevent the possible introduction of HAI into Namibia through poultry and poultry products,” Chief Veterinary Officer Albertina Shilongo said on Wednesday.
According to Shilongo, the South Africa Veterinary Competent Authority indicates that there are currently 49 new HAI cases, which have occurred from April 18, 2023, to September 5, 2023, of which 10 have been confirmed to be caused by HPAI H5, and 39 were confirmed to be caused by HPAI H7.
“New cases have been reported in all types of commercial chicken in the provinces of Kwazulu-Natal, Western Cape, Free State, Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Northwest, respectively,” she said.
Namibia is reported to consume an estimated 2,500 tons of chicken every month, relying mainly on imports from South Africa.
