Bird flu kills hundreds of penguins

Endangered African penguins on Halifax Island off Lüderitz are under threat from the H5N8 strain of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.

The acting chief veterinary officer in the agriculture ministry, Dr Albertina Shilongo, says the disease was detected on 2 February.

According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) it was informed about the outbreak on Tuesday.

“Over 200 penguins have been reported dead so far from an estimated population of about

7 000 penguins. No other birds on the island seem to be affected by the disease at the moment,” said Shilongo.

Information provided by the OIE indicates that a total of 7 002 penguins are susceptible to the disease and that 225 penguins have already died, while eight birds have been killed and disposed of.

According to Shilongo the dead penguins are burnt and buried on the island. “So far no cases in domestic birds have been detected.”

The OIE said African (jackass) penguins at a breeding site on Halifax Island, which is a small rocky island near Lüderitz, showed suspected bird flu signs.

These included neurological signs such as head tilting, twitching, incoordination, corneal opacity, and comatose behaviour.

“The disease is currently limited to African penguins only and no other wild birds are affected at Halifax Island,” according to the OIE.

Avian influenza is an infectious disease and all birds are thought to be susceptible to it, although some birds are more resistant to infection.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is characterised by sudden onset, severe illness and rapid death, with a mortality rate that can approach 100%.

Common clinical signs can include swelling and purple discoloration of the head, comb and wattle, swelling and red discoloration of the feet, bleeding of internal organs and muscles, greenish diarrhoea, twisting of the neck, staggering movement and paralysis of the wings and neck.

Shilongo said wild birds play a major role in the spread of avian influenza viruses. According to her infected birds and poultry can shed avian influenza A viruses in their saliva, nasal secretions and faeces.

Susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with the viruses. Domesticated birds such as chickens and turkeys may become infected through direct contact with infected wild birds, other infected poultry or through contact with surfaces that have been contaminated with the viruses.

Although H5N8 is not known to infect humans, other bird flu strains such as H5N1 and H7N9 can be transmitted to humans.

“Humans can be infected with the virus via the eyes, nose and mouth, when handling and coming into contact with infected poultry or birds and through the handling and consumption of their infected products,” Shilongo said. She said because of the stability of bird flu viruses in the environment and their highly contagious nature, strict biosecurity measures and good hygiene are essential in preventing outbreaks.

Therefore farmers and the public should immediately report any suspicion of bird flu in domestic or wild birds to the nearest state veterinary office.

Shilongo also warned that poultry should be kept away from areas that are frequented by wild birds and that nothing should be kept on a poultry farm that might attract wild birds, including poultry feed that is placed outside a building.

The African penguin is only found on the south-western coast of Africa, living in colonies on 24 islands between Namibia and Algoa Bay, near Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It is the only penguin species that breeds in Africa and it is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

ELLANIE SMIT