The Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Land Reform has lifted the control measures imposed after cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza were detected in the Erongo Region.

The measures, which were imposed in January 2022, came into effect after over 1 000 birds, mainly Cape cormorants, died due to the bird flu, for which the first case was detected at Sea Bird Island in Walvis Bay in January and was confirmed by the Central Veterinary Laboratory later that month.

In a media release issued on Monday, the ministry said the outbreak is considered to have been successfully controlled, hence the lifting of all restrictive measures from 02 August.

The control measures which among others included movement restriction of all live domestic and wild birds from, in and out of the coastal areas of Erongo, as well as suspension of guano harvesting and guano movement from the region, were instituted to control the outbreak.

The last cases were reported on 18 March.

The ministry however cautioned that despite the lifting of restrictive measures, poultry farmers should continue to apply biosecurity measures, while safety measures should be practised during guano harvesting and handling.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency