By: Kelvin Chiringa
A reported Avian Influenza outbreak that has wreaked havoc on hundreds of penguins at Halifax Island near Luderitz has unsettled local poultry producers.
Fear of a possible spread of the disease inland was expressed at a recent meeting held by the management of the Poultry Producers Association (PPA) on the 19th of February in the capital.
The major concern raised at this meeting was about the apparent lack of vaccination programmes for poultry that are followed by producers.
According to a farmers’ union report, the absence of good communication between producers was also discussed.
A need was identified for the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS) to monitor that poultry producers implement vaccination programmes.
“With regards to the recent outbreak of Avian Influenza at Halifax Island near Lüderitz, management emphasised that it is of utmost importance that DVS implement all possible actions to prevent the disease from spreading inland. If the virus reaches poultry farms inland it will totally destroy the industry,” said the Namibia Agricultural Union.
In the meantime the director of veterinary services has informed farmers and the public about the outbreak.
The ministry has said that the disease was detected in penguins on the island on the 2nd of February this year.
Over 200 penguins have died as a result from an estimated population of about 7 000.
“No other birds on the island seem to be affected by this disease at the moment. The dead penguins were burnt and buried on the island. So far no cases in domestic birds have been detected,” said the ministry.
Avian influenza is an infectious disease of birds caused by type A strains of the influenza virus which occurs worldwide.
