South African poultry industry calls for urgent vaccination strategy amid avian influenza crisis

In the wake of a year marred by significant losses, including the culling of 9.5m birds, the industry is sounding the alarm for immediate intervention to avert another catastrophic outbreak. Traditionally reliant on a stamping-out policy, the industry acknowledges the inefficiency of this approach against the H7N6 strain. With no compensation mechanism in place for culled birds, producers shoulder the heavy burden of financial losses, including the costs associated with cleaning infected premises and restocking farms. The toll has been particularly harsh on smaller producers, with many forced out of business, and larger companies reporting record financial losses. Recognising the urgent need for a proactive strategy, the South African poultry industry is advocating for the mandatory implementation of Avian Influenza vaccination. However, current regulations pose significant challenges, with stringent biosecurity standards and monitoring protocols hindering widespread vaccination ...