South Africa’s poultry sector is on high alert as it prepares for another disastrous avian flu epidemic. In 2023, the sector was badly damaged, with almost 9 million hens slaughtered to stop virus transmission. The outbreak inflicted severe damage on the sector, with manufacturers battling to recover from financial and operational losses. With bird flu cases rising around the world, there is growing concern about another outbreak. Dr. Abongile Balarane, the Chief Executive and General Manager of the South African Poultry Association’s Egg Organisation, has expressed alarm about the growing global outbreaks. He noted that while South Africa is currently free of avian flu, the threat remains high due to the spread of the virus in many other countries. According to Balarane, it is only a matter of time before the virus reaches South African shores again. Despite this, he assured that there are no immediate supply issues as the industry is in the process of rebuilding production levels lost during the last outbreak.
Avian influenza is a viral disease that affects a variety of bird species and can also infect mammals, including humans. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has lately issued a warning regarding the virus’s altering geographical expansion over the last four years. According to the FAO, the loss of millions of birds worldwide has already had an impact on food security and raised poultry prices globally. The virus’s rapid spread into mammals increases the stakes even higher, as it poses a risk of mutating and potentially impacting human populations. To avert additional damage to the chicken industry and the economy as a whole, the FAO has advocated for stronger biosecurity measures, increased surveillance, and more effective quick reaction procedures.
The 2023 avian flu outbreak in South Africa led to a significant shortage of chickens and eggs. As a result, the country had to rely on poultry imports to meet domestic demand. In response, the Ministry of Agriculture has encouraged poultry farmers to implement strict biosecurity measures to prevent wild birds from coming into contact with domesticated flocks. The Ministry has also introduced a protocol for vaccinating poultry under specific conditions to limit the spread of the disease by vaccinated birds. Joylene Van Wyk, spokesperson for the Ministry of Agriculture, stated that Minister John Steenhuisen had met with officials from the South African Poultry Association (SAPA) to refine the vaccination protocol. The aim is to make the protocol more practical and effective while ensuring early detection and proper management of future outbreaks.
Animal welfare organizations have also expressed alarm about the potential threat of avian flu. The National Council of Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has issued a warning that unless immediate action is taken, the chicken business will suffer another calamity. Senior Inspector Nazareth Appalsamy, manager of the NSPCA’s Farm Animal Protection Unit, believes that the government’s reluctance to intervene could result in unnecessary suffering for millions of birds. He emphasized that humane culling and prophylactic measures, including immunization, are critical for managing future outbreaks. However, he questioned the government’s delayed response, adding that the NSPCA had already requested improved vaccination availability and biosecurity measures in November but had yet to receive a response from the Ministry.
The Department of Agriculture released a report in January 2025 detailing the outbreaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in early 2023. The report documented 29 outbreaks, with the majority occurring in the Western Cape and others reported in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. While the outbreaks were eventually contained, the scale of the losses and the disruption to the industry underscored the need for better preparation and faster responses. Appalsamy warned that the poultry industry remains vulnerable due to impractical biosecurity protocols and costly monitoring systems. He urged the government to revise these policies and provide more support to poultry farmers.
The NSPCA has also reminded the government that, under the Animals Protection Act 71 of 1962, it must prioritize animal welfare in its response to avian influenza. The organization emphasized that the government must act quickly to prevent a repeat epidemic, which would not only harm the chicken sector but also have major economic and social ramifications. With the return of migrating birds and the continuous global spread of the virus, South Africa’s poultry industry faces an unpredictable and perhaps hazardous future. The NSPCA’s frequent calls to action emphasize the gravity of the situation and the necessity for a coordinated response to protect both animal welfare and the livelihoods of those who rely on the poultry industry.
