#13,861
Between January and June of 2017 the avian H5N8 virus - which was then sparking the largest avian epizootic on record in Europe - was carried down the African continent by migratory birds, and ended up becoming endemic in the nation of South Africa (see map below).
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| H5N8 as of Aug 30th, 2017 |
Other than Zimbabwe, neighboring countries have not reported outbreaks in poultry or in wild birds, although that may speak more to the degree of surveillance and testing in the region than to the presence of the virus.Yesterday, however, the nation of Namibia notified the OIE of their first two outbreaks of H5N8 - both linked to the penguin colony on Halifax Island - just off the coast from Luderitz.
Source of the outbreak(s) or origin of infection
Unknown or inconclusive
Source of infection might be migratory wild birds.Epidemiological comments
African penguins (Jackass penguins) at a conservation site (breeding site) on the Halifax Island, which is a small rocky island about 100 m (330 ft) from the mainland, near Lüderitz, showed signs suspected to be of highly pathogenic avian influenza.
Although bird flu has been on the back burner for many months, numerous strains continue to circulate, and evolve, in wild birds and poultry around the globe.These were neurological signs (head tilting, twitching, incoordination), corneal opacity and lethargic/comatose behaviour. The disease is currently limited to African penguins only; no other wild birds are affected at the Halifax Island.
We've seen periods of relative quiescence before, only to be followed by major upticks in activity. While we enjoy this current lull, it is with the knowledge that it may not last.
