The H5N1 bird flu outbreak that was first detected in South Africa in April on a farm in the West Rand, Johannesburg, is now threatening the great white pelican population in the Western Cape.(Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images)
The H5N1 bird flu outbreak that was first detected in South Africa in April on a farm in the West Rand, Johannesburg, is now threatening the great white pelican population in the Western Cape. The virus has already killed 40 of these birds, according to government agency CapeNature.
The flu was detected in birds on a farm north of Malmesbury, as well as on Dassen Island.
On Tuesday, the organisation said it was monitoring and taking action to respond to the H5N1 strain, which is highly pathogenic.
“The H5N1 strain has been detected in sick and dead wild birds, but to date the impacts have not been as severe as those of the 2017 H5N8 strain, when a large number of wild birds succumbed to this virus,” CapeNature said in a statement.
The organisation said it is concerned about the possible effect this outbreak may have on the great white pelican population in the Western Cape. There are only an estimated 370 breeding pairs in the province, with 40 of these birds already having succumbed to the virus.
“Great white pelicans, listed as vulnerable in the Western Cape, are colonial breeders, currently only breeding on Dassen Island. Affected birds will appear to be weak and may display neurological signs such as tremors, seizures, loss of balance or head twitches,” the organisation said.
General manager at CapeNature, Petro van Rhyn, told the Mail & Guardian that the outbreak could potentially have some economic implications for the organisation, but that this is not yet the case.
“There are relatively few economic impacts for CapeNature,” Van Rhyn said. “[However], there is the possibility of closing affected reserves, if the outbreak becomes too severe, to limit the spread of the virus.”
CapeNature removes and buries the carcasses of birds that have been struck down by the avian flu; it also removes birds showing symptoms from their habitat, to reduce the spread of the virus.
According to Dr Gininda Msiza, head of veterinary services in the Western Cape, the flu originated from water birds, such as ducks.
“We are vigilant, now that we understand it is also in the Western Cape. We also understand scientifically that the winter season will drive the spread of this flu,” Msiza said. “It is not that much of a threat to human beings. But it can spread when people touch [birds] and other contact surfaces,” said Msiza.
He added that the flu is airborne and that this makes it easy for it to spread quickly.
CapeNature chief executive Dr Razeena Omar said in the statement: “I hope that with continued collaboration, open communication and swift responses, we can continue to tackle this disease effectively. We will endeavour to keep everyone informed of any changes as we become aware of them.”
Chris Gilili is an Adamela Trust climate and economic justice reporting fellow, funded by the Open Society Foundation for South Africa.
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