Limpopo confident in capacity to contain Avian Flu outbreak

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Limpopo’s Agriculture department says it has enough capacity and capabilities to contain the outbreak of Avian Flu in the province.

Four farms in Bela Bela, Modimolle and Mokopane in the Waterberg district have been affected by the Avian Flu outbreak so far.  The affected farms have been quarantined.

MEC Thabo Mokone says they have the situation under control. “What we can confirm is that Limpopo is affected in the Waterberg region in four farms which have been identified in Bela Bela, Modimolle and Mogalakwena2. The rest of our province is still safe now. Our technicians, as we are speaking, are attending to the matter. So far, we have the capacity and capability to make sure that things get settled our people must not panic.”

A poultry farmer whose farm is not affected by the outbreak, George Maluleke, says for him business is booming and prices are skyrocketing.

“The people that were not used to ordering from me, now I’m seeing more of the new faces than the old faces. So the demand is higher, such a way that we cannot supply this situation where chicken is in demand. It puts us under pressure because everyone wants help. When you wake up early in the morning everyone says give me something you cannot give because we only have what we have.”

Avian flu outbreak in SA – Prof Robert Bragg: