South Africa: Update HPAI Outbreak

The ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in South Africa, which began in April 2021, has led to the culling of nearly 3 million birds, primarily layers. While the greatest impact to date has been in the Western Cape, the virus is now continuing to spread primarily in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. The Gauteng province produces 24 percent of South Africa’s eggs while KwaZulu Natal produces 10 percent. As a result of the outbreak, many of South Africa’s regional trading partners have imposed import restrictions on South Africa’s egg and poultry products.