The South African Poultry Association (SAPA) and agriculture associations have welcomed the department of Agriculture’s decision to roll out the first ever mass vaccination of poultry in the country in order to protect the local flock from avian influenza.
SAPA also confirmed that despite concerns about a salmonella outbreak in the United States, eggs in South Africa remain safe to consume.
Minister of Agriculture John Steenhuisen last week said that their vaccination team, comprised of poultry specialist vets from the University of Pretoria, along with the Agricultural Research Council, has received a list of farms to be vaccinated from the poultry industry and is prioritising high-risk areas and commercial flocks to contain the virus and prevent further culling.
“We have secured vaccine supply, ensured cold chain capacity, and are building in traceability and reporting mechanisms as part of a wider preparedness strategy.”
In a statement, SAPA said that they were pleased that Deputy Director-General for Agricultural Production, Biosecurity, and Natural Resources Management, Dipepeneneng Serage, confirmed at the AVI Africa conference that the government will proceed with the vaccination strategy against Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Serage highlighted the department’s commitment to ensuring that farming can continue safely and sustainably. “My job is to bring science and legislation together and allow farmers to farm without risking anyone’s health, while positioning South Africa as a net exporter of food.”
SAPA said that the government’s HPAI vaccination strategy is a controlled, science-based approach that will focus on four key pillars: Controlled Use of Vaccines – Only vaccines registered in South Africa will be used.
- Sales and distribution will be strictly controlled, and farmers must register and comply with biosecurity and surveillance protocols.
- Biosecurity – Enhanced on-farm practices will remain critical to preventing disease spread.
- Traceability – All vaccinated flocks must be trackable to maintain export integrity and health transparency.
- Surveillance – Ongoing monitoring will ensure early detection and effective management of any outbreaks.
Serage said that South Africa is ready to begin vaccinations immediately.
“Three H5 vaccines have been officially registered for use, with an H7 vaccine currently under development. One farm is already under evaluation for compliance and may be the first to begin vaccinations under the new framework. “We have the data, we know which farms we’re starting with — now we have to start.”
SAPA said that this move represents a major step forward for biosecurity in South Africa’s poultry industry and signals the government’s determination to protect both public health and the country’s agricultural economy.
Francois Rossouw, the CEO of Southern African Agri Initiative (Saai), said that vaccination is a big deal for the poultry industry.
“It can really help cut down on outbreaks, which means less stress and losses for farmers. This is a great way to keep the virus in check, especially in areas where it’s a big risk. It’ll help protect both big farms and smaller ones.”
Rossouw added that by reducing HPAI cases, we can keep production steady and make sure there’s enough supply.
“That’s key for food security and farmers’ livelihoods. I know there are trade concerns with vaccination, but it’s all about finding a balance. We need to keep our birds healthy while also chatting with our trade partners about it. It’s crucial that vaccination comes with good monitoring and biosecurity measures. We want to make sure everything’s managed well. This vaccination move should be part of a bigger strategy to handle avian flu. Ongoing research and teamwork with everyone involved will be super important.”
In a separate statement, Dr. Abongile Balarane, CEO: South African Poultry Association (Egg Organisation), said that they take note of the circulating social media posts on Salmonella cases in California in the United States of America.
“We confirm that there are no current Salmonella cases in South Africa that have caused people to be hospitalised. We further confirm that there are currently no confirmed cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (Bird flu) in poultry in South Africa. It is therefore safe to consume eggs and poultry meat.”
Balarane added that any cases of Salmonella and Avian influenza in South Africa will be officially reported by the National Department of Health together with the National Department of Agriculture. “To our knowledge, there are no present Salmonella and Avian influenza cases that have spread to humans in South Africa.
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