The Namibian poultry industry is actively preparing to contain a potential outbreak of bird flu, particularly in light of recent developments in South Africa, where the avian influenza virus poses a significant threat to poultry health. In response to South Africa’s pilot vaccination program targeting broiler breeders against the highly pathogenic H5N1 strain of avian influenza, Namibia’s Poultry Producers Association (PPA) is evaluating comprehensive measures to bolster its readiness for any future outbreaks.
PPA chairperson Louis Kleynhans emphasized the importance of proactive planning, stating that although Namibia has not reported any recent cases of avian influenza, the Association is closely monitoring the situation and exploring the registration and potential importation of vaccines for use in Namibia should vaccination become necessary. This thorough investigation will ensure that vaccines are available swiftly if an outbreak occurs.
To enhance national preparedness, the PPA is collaborating with the Directorate of Veterinary Services and the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform. This partnership aims to create and formalize robust avian influenza contingency protocols. These guidelines will clearly delineate the procedures for the importation and movement of live birds, the regulation of poultry distribution, and specific vaccination procedures to mitigate risk.
Wild birds, known carriers of the highly contagious H5N1 virus, frequently migrate and can inadvertently spread the disease to domestic poultry. Central Namibia, situated away from major wild bird migration routes, experiences a lower risk of outbreaks compared to other regions. However, a concerning outbreak on Namibia’s west coast in January 2022 resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 wild birds, primarily cormorants, notably along the coastal lines of Walvis Bay and Swakopmund in the Erongo region. Investigations indicated that the source of this infection was wild migratory birds whose movements brought the virus to local populations.
Genetic testing of collected samples confirmed the presence of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus, showing significant similarity to strains identified previously in Lesotho and Botswana in 2021. This incident marked the first genomic characterization of H5N1 viruses in Namibia, highlighting the critical need for robust surveillance and response mechanisms.
In response to the outbreak, stringent control measures were implemented, restricting the movement of all live domestic and wild birds into and out of the affected coastal areas. Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Albertina Shikongo announced that the outbreak had been successfully contained, with the last reported HPAI cases documented on March 18, 2022.
During this urgent period, both poultry farmers and the general public were instructed to report any suspicions of sick or dead domestic or wild birds along the Namibian coastline immediately to the nearest State Veterinary Office or relevant government officials. All movement of live birds from the coastal regions of Erongo was prohibited, except for authorized imports and transiting consignments from other countries. Farmers and the community were strongly encouraged to comply with the established control measures to prevent the further spread of the virus.
The PPA firmly believes that the lessons learned from the previous outbreak underscore the necessity of implementing enhanced preventative measures. In light of this, the Association is preparing to submit a joint proposal with private veterinarians to the relevant authorities, aiming to fortify Namibia’s national preparedness strategy against avian influenza threats effectively. This collaborative approach will help protect not only the agricultural sector but also the public health and ecological balance within the country.
