It’s back. Bird flu is upon us again.
A few years ago, in December 2017, a large number of dead and sick marine bird species were found along the Overstrand coastline and estuaries. The birds were infected with the H5N8 virus. Most of the affected seabirds were Swift Terns.
In 2020 and 2021 the Cape Cormorants were especially hard hit by the highly pathogenic H5N8 strain of avian influenza and thousands of birds were killed.
According to Dean O’Neill, Municipal Manager of the Overstrand Municipality, in the last month new cases of H5N8 were positively identified in Swift Terns. The first confirmed, positive case was from St Helena Bay and unfortunately the Greater Crested Tern had to be euthanised. Then Swift Terns were found at the Bot River Estuary near Hermanus that also tested positive for the H5N8 avian influenza.
“We would like to urge residents to be alert and aware of the situation but not to panic about it,” O’Neill said.
The signs too look out for in affected birds are: Neurological signs such as twitching, and head tremors and the birds may have difficulty breathing.
According to O’Neill it is important not to touch these birds with your bare hands and wear gloves and disinfect your hands.
“If you are walking with your dogs along the beach and it happens to come into contact with an affected bird, make sure that you disinfect its paws before the dog enters the house,” he said.
If you do come across any dead seabirds, you can report it to The African Penguin & Seabird Sanctuary by sending a photo of the birds, the location, number of dead birds and species (if you can identify the bird).
For more information contact 028 316 3724 or 072 598 7117 or send a email to penguin@apss.org.za.