South Africa says bird flu is under control, egg supply increasing

(Reuters) – South Africa’s worst outbreak of bird flu is now under control and the egg supply situation is improving, the agriculture ministry said for the fourth day.

Since April, the country has been battling an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which spreads rapidly among infected parties and causes high mortality.

According to the South African Poultry Association, nearly 6,000 poultry and 2.5 million breeder chickens, one-third of the country’s chicken flock, have died from bird flu. This has led to shortages of eggs and, more recently, poultry meat during the festive season.

The government will promote increased imports of chicken eggs, fertilized eggs, chicken eggs and liquid eggs to alleviate shortages, the Ministry of Agriculture said in a statement.

“The department is satisfied that food supplies are under control and that 70% of uninfected farms will continue to produce eggs and chicken,” the department said, adding that “egg stocks are being replenished. Constantly.”

Major South African poultry producers and processors Astral Foods (ARLJ.J), RCL Foods (RCLJ.J) and Quantum Foods (QFHJ.J) confirmed that an outbreak of bird flu has devastated an already overstretched industry. Frequent hair loss, nationwide power outages, and increased costs.

Reportage by Nelson Bania; Editing by Sharon Singleton