Bird flu detected in 11% of South Africa's farms
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According to AFASA's chairman, instances have been documented in numerous provinces, including Mpumalanga in eastern South Africa and Limpopo in the country's north.
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Chickens on a chicken farm in Lichtenburg, South Africa on March 23, 2023 (AP)
According to the African Farmers' Association of South Africa (AFASA) bird flu outbreaks have been recorded in 11% of South African farms, and the disease's expansion might lead to a lack of chicken and eggs in the country.
Thandeka Mbassa, the company's chief executive officer told Sputnik on Friday that investigations are ongoing.
Mbassa explained that "South Africa has culled about 7.5 million chickens in an effort to contain dozens of outbreaks of two separate strains avian flu that threaten to create a shortage of eggs and poultry for consumers."
According to AFASA's chairman, instances have been documented in numerous provinces, including Mpumalanga in eastern South Africa and Limpopo in the country's north.
She went on to say that bird flu has killed at least 205,000 hens in at least 60 distinct outbreaks across the country, with half of those outbreaks in Gauteng, which comprises the country's major cities.
Mbassa also added that value chains have been affected by supply shortages across the value chains and increases in prices.
South Africa is already suffering from meat scarcity. The private sector is working to avert chicken shortages, while the government is considering incentives.
