A worrying flare-up of animal diseases is being observed across the province with five highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks confirmed in commercial chicken farms, as well as cases of African swine fever.
Department spokesperson Reggie Ngcobo said that no live animals and/ or birds and eggs are allowed to be removed from the farms, adding that commercial poultry meat and eggs are safe to eat.
The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus has hit the Cape Winelands, threatening egg supplies – and hiking prices – in the province. This is likely to affect consumers for the rest of the year.