Highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N8) in coastal birds The H5N8 strain of highly pathogenic avian influenza was first detected in the Western Cape in early August 2017. The first wild bird that tested positive was a guinea fowl near Swellendam in mid-August. Outbreaks continued to occur in poultry, ostriches and wild birds, mostly found inland, until late October 2017. Wild bird species confirmed positive included a pigeon, spur-wing goose, Guinea fowls (3), doves (2), blue cranes, house sparrow, owl, peregrine falcons (2), pied crows (3), sacred ibis, black-headed heron and an Egyptian goose. There was then a lull in reported cases in wild birds until December, when reports of increased mortality in terns started. Mortalities in coastal birds continued until May 2018 and now seem to have decreased drastically. |