01 Sep 2021

 The suspected outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian influenza (bird flu) in the Kgatleng District village of Bokaa threatens to reverse gains of the poultry sector in the area. 

Government has suspended movement of chicken products within and out of Bokaa, putting several businesses in jeopardy. 

Although Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security officials were unable to give further information on the matter, it is alleged that the free-range chickens where suspected cases were first reported, had all been killed. 

Mr Ishmael Mosinyi of Chino Holdings, who runs a chicken abattoir in the village as well as a poultry farm in Morwa, said he had been instructed to close shop. 

He said since establishing the business over 10 years ago, this was the first time he had to close it due to a disease outbreak. 

At the time of the interview, he said he was stuck with 103 chickens slaughtered for different customers. 

Mr Mosinyi said the future was bleak for him and his 16 employees.

The Bokaa native explained that the veterinary officials  who visited his premises, told him to protect his poultry farm in Morwa by, among other things, restricting movement of personnel and ensuring that wild birds were kept at bay. 

 He explained that his abattoir, used mainly by independent producers, had the capacity of slaughtering up to 1 000 birds per day but had been operating minimally since Batswana did preferred not to keep boiler chickens during winter. 

Following an outbreak of avian influenza in South Africa, Botswana banned the importation of poultry products in April and June which was seen as an opportunity for the local sector to close the gap. 

Symptoms of avian influenza include sudden death, respiratory distress, swelling of head, purple discolouration of the comb and wattles and decreased egg production. 

Wild birds are considered the natural host for the virus and poultry owners are advised to ensure they remove any feed that might attract them.ends