The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus continues to challenge the sub-Saharan poultry industry, with recent outbreaks reported in both Botswana and South Africa, as per the latest update from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
Botswana Reports, Resolves Single H5N1 Case
Botswana’s veterinary authorities confirmed the presence of the H5N1 serotype in a Chobe backyard flock of approximately 70 chickens in July. This marked the first H5N1 detection in the northern district. Authorities declared the single outbreak “resolved” to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) in early September, mitigating immediate concerns of a wider spread.
South Africa Battles Multi-Strain Outbreaks, Commercial Impact
South Africa, however, is grappling with a more significant, dual-strain crisis, severely impacting commercial operations.
H5N1 Outbreaks and Losses
Since June, the H5N1 variant has been confirmed in eight commercial poultry flocks. The resulting mortality and culling measures have claimed over 220,000 poultry, based on WOAH figures.
- Recent Detections: Five of these commercial outbreaks have been logged since the start of September, spanning premises with 330 to 45,000 birds.
- Geographic Spread: Affected provinces include Western Cape, Eastern Cape, and Mpumalanga.
- Non-Commercial Impact: The H5N1 virus was also detected in wild birds and backyard flocks in May, following a two-year hiatus. Five non-commercial flocks in Western Cape and Gauteng have since tested positive.
H7N6 Resolution Follows Massive Losses
South African authorities recently declared the resolution of a separate HPAI series involving the H7N6 virus variant. This devastating series, which occurred between May 2023 and July of this year, caused the mortality of over 1.82 million commercial birds and necessitated the culling of nearly eight million additional birds to contain the spread.
Strategic Shift: South Africa Authorises H5 Vaccination
In a major policy decision to safeguard its commercial stock, South Africa’s agriculture department issued the country’s first authorisation for HPAI vaccination at the end of June.
- Permit Holder: The authorisation was granted to Astral Foods, a leading producer, following a stringent application process.
- Scope: The permit allows Astral Foods to vaccinate 200,000 broiler breeders, which represents approximately 5% of the firm’s breeding stock.
- Focus: The company will administer a commercial H5 group vaccine from an international manufacturer, explicitly stressing that this vaccine will not target the recently resolved H7 variant.
Elsewhere in Africa: Resolving and Confirming Cases
Regional veterinary bodies continue to manage avian flu threats:
- Niger: Declared resolution of its HPAI outbreaks following a single case in a small flock near Niamey in February.
- Togo: Reported four outbreaks of H5 or H5N1 viruses in February and March, affecting approximately 8,600 poultry across the Centre and Maritime regions.
- Ghana: Confirmed 15 poultry flocks with HPAI infections, impacting a total of 100,000 birds in the Ashanti region during the first half of 2025, with the specific virus serotype unspecified.
- Mauritania: Researchers determined that a 2024 outbreak in broiler chickens was caused by the H9N2 HPAI virus serotype.
This complex, multi-strain avian flu situation across key African markets highlights the ongoing volatility and the imperative for biosecurity and proactive management strategies, particularly for commercial stakeholders.
