THE DEPARTMENT of Agriculture has been instructed by Minister John Steenhuisen to collaborate with the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) to develop a practical and implementable protocol to mitigate the effects of any future Avian Influenza outbreaks in South Africa.

This comes after the National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) issued a warning regarding the potential for another outbreak of avian influenza in South Africa, labelling it as a looming disaster that could devastate the poultry industry unless urgent action is taken.

With the return of migratory birds, the risk of a new outbreak of the highly contagious virus rises, raising concerns among industry experts about the subsequent implications.

Avian influenza, a viral disease that affects a range of birds, including those farmed for food, pets, and wild species, poses threats not only to avian populations but also has the potential to impact other mammals, including humans.

A report released in January by the Department of Agriculture highlighted an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) that occurred early in 2023, listing 29 outbreaks throughout the nation. The majority of these were recorded in the Western Cape, with others in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, among other provinces.

Despite previous outbreaks being contained, the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit manager, senior inspector Nazareth Appalsamy, said South Africa is on the brink of an avian influenza disaster, and the government’s failure to act could cause suffering for thousands of birds.

“The NSPCA warns that without urgent intervention, another outbreak will tear through the poultry industry, leaving millions of birds in its wake and even threaten wild bird populations,” he said.

Appalsamy warned that should avian influenza ravage the poultry industry, the fastest and most effective way to stop the spread of the disease is culling infected birds, which prevents further suffering and stops the disease from spreading.

However, he said vaccination could also play a crucial role in reducing outbreaks.

“The NSPCA recently met with the South African Poultry Association (SAPA), which agrees that humane culling and preventative measures are essential. However, without immediate government intervention, another outbreak is inevitable,” he said.

The warning follows a call by the NSPCA for the minister to drive vaccination and access to the vaccine, with sufficient biosecurity measures, in November.

“To date, we have received no response. The NSPCA has directed another letter to Minister Steenhuisen, for which we await a reply.

“This is both an animal welfare emergency and a looming economic disaster, with potential losses reaching millions of rands,” warned Appalsamy.

According to Appalsamy, impractical policies such as unrealistic biosecurity protocols and costly monitoring systems are hindering the poultry industry.

“The NSPCA demands immediate action from our government, including revision of vaccination red tape, to enable practical and accessible solutions, and to prevent the suffering of animals,” he added.

The NSPCA stated that animal welfare considerations should be central to the Department of Agriculture's mission, as it is the department responsible for administering the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962.

“The NSPCA urges the government to take immediate action because this disaster is on our doorstep – it’s only a matter of time before it’s too late.”

Agriculture Ministry spokesperson Joylene van Wyk said the department has signed into effect a protocol for the vaccination of poultry under very specific conditions that are designed to prevent the inadvertent spread of the disease by vaccinated animals.

Van Wyk said the poultry industry did make Minister Steenhuisen aware of its concern regarding the protocol.

“Minister Steenhuisen met with the officials in the department and requested that they engage with the South African Poultry Association to refine some measures to come up with a protocol that is practically implementable and workable while ensuring early detection and managing the outbreak should a farm be infected,” she said.

She also noted that vaccination against HPAI was previously not permitted in South Africa, as in most countries in the world.

“A number of outbreaks of HPAI in chickens in the second half of 2023, coupled with global discussion on HPAI vaccination, sparked renewed consultations on the possible use of vaccination as a disease control measure to control HPAI outbreaks.”

Van Wyk said considering that HPAI vaccines do not prevent infection or viral shedding, several factors need to be considered, including the safety, quality, and efficacy of the vaccine used, the biosecurity, surveillance, record, and movement control measures required for approval of vaccination on farm level, as well as how to manage vaccinated farms that become HPAI infected.

“Also note that no country in the world, as far as we are aware, has vaccinated against the HPAI. France only vaccinated ducks,” she said.

The SA Poultry Association has been approached for comment.