(The Southern African Times) – The Botswana government revised its ban on poultry imports from neighbouring South Africa following an outbreak of avian influenza in the country.
Last week, Botswana banned the import of domesticated and wild birds from South Africa, after the death of around 300 birds at a commercial chicken-layer farm in Ekurhuleni, east of Johannesburg. The samples from the farm tested positive for the H5 strain.
The Ministry of Agriculture issued a notice on Wednesday saying the ban remained in force with the exception of imports from “registered and approved avian influenza free compartments” from South Africa. Such imports must also be accompanied with a permit.
The notice, however, said cooked poultry meat is allowed without a permit.
Additionally, the importation of fresh poultry products from other countries, that transit through South Africa in sealed containers will be allowed with a permit.
Local media reported that the South African Poultry Association had indicated the situation had been contained at the farm. The association added that the area was also constantly being monitored.
Botswana and other neighbouring countries imposed a similar ban on poultry products from South Africa in 2017 after an outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of avian flu.
Authorities in Botswana appealed to the public to be cautious and to report any deaths of domestic poultry and wild birds to veterinary offices.
